A Chipotle fan favorite is back after 'three times more requests' for its return than any other menu item

Chipotle is bringing back Chicken al Pastor to restaurants around the world - and you can get it delivered for free.

The fast food chain said there have been three times more requests to 'bring back Chicken al Pastor' on social media than any other limited time offering in the brand's history.

It is back in restaurants from today but there is a catch. It is only back for a limited time.

'About one in five transactions included Chicken al Pastor when it was featured on our menu last year,' said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer.

'Given the performance and the fans wanting its return so enthusiastically, we are thrilled to make this the fastest item to ever come back to Chipotle.'

Chicken al Pastor is coming back to Chipotle

Chicken al Pastor is made with fresh chicken hot off the grill, a rich marinade of seared morita peppers and ground achiote, balanced with a splash of pineapple for the right amount of heat, finished with fresh lime, and hand-chopped cilantro.

Chris Brandt from Chipotle said: 'About one in five transactions included Chicken al Pastor when it was featured on our menu last year.'

Chipotle is revealing the most ordered Chicken al Pastor burrito bowl among fans in 2023, which includes white rice, black beans, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, cheese and guacamole.

Nevielle Panthaky, from Chipotle, said: 'The rich flavor of our Chicken al Pastor shines in the fan favorite bowl.

'Each ingredient layers for the perfectly balanced bite with the right level of sweetness, acidity, and heat. It is simple, flavorful, unbelievably delicious, and has everything you crave.'

The 'Most Ordered Chicken al Pastor Bowl' is available for convenient one-tap digital ordering in the Chipotle app, Chipotle.com and Chipotle.ca.

Chipotle is celebrating the menu item's return with a $0 delivery fee offer on all Chicken al Pastor orders placed through the Chipotle app, Chipotle.com and Chipotle.ca from March 14 through March 24 in the US and Canada.

But bear in mind that menu prices are often higher when ordering for delivery. 

Despite menu items getting more expensive, more Americans visited the Mexican chain restaurant in the last three months of 2023

Chipotle had a profitable 2023. In Janaury, it annoucned it had easily beaten market estimates for profits and sales - boosted by price hikes in October last year. 

Despite menu items getting more expensive, more Americans visited the Mexican chain restaurant in the last three months of 2023.

That created a double whammy - more burritos sold, each at a higher price. In some cases they are a dollar more - rising prices to $12.

While most US restaurant and fast food chains have seen customer numbers - and what they spend - weaken in the past few months, Chipotle has been bucking the trend.

That is thanks in part to customers who are wealthier than those at rivals like McDonald's. As a result, they are less impacted by higher prices.