FOOD

Taco Bell menu ready to expand with new Cantina Chicken burrito, quesadilla, bowl and tacos

Mike Snider
USA TODAY

Taco Bell is ready to spice up its menu with Cantina Chicken.

The Cantina Chicken Menu was among the upcoming menu enhancements the fast-food chain announced at its “Live Más Live” 2024 event last month. On the way are new entrées featuring the shredded chicken, which is slow-roasted with savory Mexican spices: the Cantina Chicken Burrito, Cantina Chicken Taco (soft or crispy), Cantina Chicken Quesadilla and the Cantina Chicken Bowl.

So far, Taco Bell has served up from its Live Más Live event the Cheesy Chicken Crispanada. Not out yet: the Choco Taco.

Also coming: Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Cheesy Street Chalupas, Cheesy Enchilada Dipping Taco and the Baja Blast pie.

The Cantina Chicken Menu dishes are a departure from traditional Taco Bell offerings: spices including pasilla and other varieties of chilies, plus ingredients such as purple cabbage, pico de gallo, a white corn taco shell and a new sauce, Avocado Verde Salsa.

Taco Bell's new Cantina Chicken Menu includes the Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, Cantina Chicken Taco (soft or crispy), Cantina Chicken Bowl and Cantina Chicken Burrito.

“As we constantly listen to our audiences, we know that a winning equation is giving them what weknow they want plus something next-level," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer, in the menu announcement. "We knew our fans wanted more chicken, and we also knew that we could elevate chicken with unexpected ingredients like purple cabbage and Avocado Verde Salsa.”

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What is on Taco Bell's new Cantina Chicken menu?

There's five new menu items on the Cantina Chicken menu. Taco Bell Rewards Members get early access to two new Cantina Chicken Menu items on Thursday, March 14, with all customers nationwide getting access on Thursday, March 21:

  • Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco ($2.99) is topped with Creamy Jalapeño Sauce and a 3-cheese blend, coated with a layer of grilled cheese on the outside and served with a Avocado Verde Salsa.
  • Cantina Chicken Quesadilla ($6.49), 3-cheese blend and Creamy Chipotle Sauce with Cantina Chicken inside the grilled cheese-crisped flour tortilla, served with guacamole, reduced-fat sour cream and Avocado Verde Salsa.

Available starting Monday, March 18, to Taco Bell Rewards members and Thursday, March 21, to all customers:

  • Cantina Chicken Soft Taco ($2.99) made with Cantina Chicken, Avocado RanchSauce, lettuce, purple cabbage, cheddar cheese and pico de gallo, served with Avocado Verde Salsa.
  • Cantina Chicken Burrito ($5.99), includes lettuce, purple cabbage, Avocado Ranch Sauce, Creamy Chipotle Sauce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and Avocado Verde Salsa.
  • Cantina Chicken Bowl ($7.99), has seasoned rice, black beans, lettuce, purple cabbage, Avocado Ranch Sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheddar cheese and Avocado Verde Salsa.
Taco Bell's new Cantina Chicken Menu includes the Cantina Chicken Burrito, Cantina Chicken Taco (soft or crispy), Cantina Chicken Quesadilla and the Cantina Chicken Bowl.

In addition to the early access to new menu items, Taco Bell Rewards Members get one free Cantina ChickenCrispy Taco in their accounts on March 21 in the Taco Bell app (use by April 4). If you aren't a Rewards member yet, join starting March 21 and get the option of a Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco as your free welcome reward.

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