What is Chicken Pastor at Chipotle?

Chicken pastor is a delicious new protein option that Chipotle has added to their menu for a limited time. It brings a unique and bold flavor that Chipotle fans will love But what exactly is chicken pastor and how does Chipotle make theirs? Keep reading to learn all about this mouthwatering new menu item

The Origins of Chicken Pastor

Pastor is a traditional Mexican dish that usually consists of pork that is marinated in a blend of dried chilies, spices, and pineapple juice. It is then sliced thinly and cooked on a vertical rotisserie called a trompo. As the meat cooks, it is shaved off and served in tacos along with onions, cilantro, and pineapple. The marinade gives the meat a slightly sweet, tangy and spicy flavor.

Chicken pastor simply substitutes chicken for the traditional pork. It uses the same marinade and cooking process to infuse the chicken with delicious Mexican flavors. The acidity from the pineapple helps break down the proteins in the meat, keeping it super juicy and tender.

How Chipotle Makes Their Chicken Pastor

While traditional pastor uses a trompo to cook vertically, Chipotle’s version is made by marinating and grilling boneless skinless chicken thighs Their marinade contains a blend of adobo sauce, morita peppers, achiote, pineapple juice, garlic, oregano and cumin

The adobo sauce adds a rich, smoky flavor along with a bit of heat. Morita peppers are a type of smoked jalapeño that packs some serious spice. Achiote provides earthiness from the annatto seeds and a hint of bitterness from the ground spices. Pineapple juice balances out the heat with sweet fruitiness.

Once it’s marinated, the chicken is grilled up fresh so it gets nice char marks and a smoky charred flavor. The chicken pastor is then chopped into bite-sized pieces. Before serving, it gets finished with a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of minced cilantro.

The Flavors You Can Expect

The first thing you’ll notice when you try Chipotle’s chicken pastor is the aroma – that smoky grilled chicken blended with the sweet and tangy pineapple juice smells amazing.

With your first bite, your taste buds get hit with a melange of flavors. The spicy kick from the morita peppers and adobo comes through, followed by the fruity sweetness of pineapple. There’s a subtle lime zestiness, earthy spices, and herbaceous cilantro.

The chicken itself is juicy and lusciously tender from the marinade. You get nice charred bits on some pieces that provide texture and smoky depth. It brings so much more flavor to your bowl or burrito than Chipotle’s regular chicken!

How To Order the Chicken Pastor

Chicken pastor is available for a limited time only, so take advantage while you can! It can be added to any entree including burrito bowls, burritos, salads, quesadillas or tacos.

Some of the most popular ways to enjoy the chicken pastor are:

• Burrito Bowl: Base of cilantro-lime rice, pinto or black beans, chicken pastor, fresh tomato salsa, cheese and lettuce.

• Burrito: Stuffed with rice, beans, chicken pastor, tomato salsa, cheese and lettuce.

• Tacos: Two soft flour or crunchy corn tortillas with chicken pastor, diced onions, cilantro and a lime wedge.

• Quesadilla: Melted cheese quesadilla filled with chicken pastor, sauteed peppers and onions.

• Salad: Lettuce blend or romaine topped with chicken pastor, beans, salsa, cheese and creamy chipotle dressing.

Don’t forget to add guacamole or a side of chips and queso for dipping! The chicken pastor also pairs well with the tangy flavors of the tomatillo green chili or roasted chili corn salsas.

Why Chicken Pastor is a Must-Try

Here’s a quick recap of what makes Chipotle’s new chicken pastor so special:

• It’s made with delicious Mexican pastor marinade that infuses the chicken with sweet, spicy and tangy flavors

• The grilled preparation gives it a smoky char and juicy texture

• You get an amazing blend of heat from peppers, earthiness from achiote, fruitiness from pineapple, and fresh herbs

• It’s a great way to change up your usual Chipotle order and experience new flavors

• The limited availability makes it an exciting novelty to take advantage of before it’s gone

Chicken pastor brings a unique twist to Chipotle’s menu that long-time customers and newcomers alike will enjoy. It adds more depth of flavor and so much more interest than regular grilled chicken. Next time you visit Chipotle, be sure to take your bowl, burrito or tacos to the next level with the amazing chicken pastor!