Taco Bell Is Releasing the Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu to Spice Things Up

Taco Bell is here to spice up your 2025. 

On Tuesday, the fast food brand announced it's dropping an all-new Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu to level up its already fan-loved slow-roasted chicken. 

“It’s been nearly a year since we launched the beloved Cantina Chicken Menu, and we knew it was time to turn up the heat,” Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer, Liz Matthews, shared in a statement. “We experimented with different peppers, spice blends, and heat levels to craft the spicier alter ego to Cantina Chicken, one that brings just the right amount of fiery kick. With the Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu, we’ve struck that balance, delivering a fresh, zesty, and flavor-packed take for those ready to embrace their bolder side.”

How popular is the chicken, exactly? According to Taco Bell, since its introduction a year ago,  Cantina Chicken has “found its way into 1 out of every 4 Taco Bell orders,” making it an easy choice to invest in. 

Taco Bell explained that its Caliente lineup includes the Caliente Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, which comes in a white corn shell that's filled with slow-roasted chicken and a three-cheese blend that's “generously coated with a layer of grilled cheese on the outside” and drizzled with the Caliente Sauce. The menu also includes the Caliente Cantina Chicken Soft Taco, which is a soft tortilla filled with chicken, iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and more Caliente Sauce. There's also the Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito, which includes a double portion of slow-roasted chicken, the Caliente Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, the Caliente Cantina Chicken Bowl, and simply the Caliente Sauce, which can be ordered on the side so guests can top their favorite Taco Bell menu items with it whenever they want. 

If you've already seen this sauce on menus, you likely live in Cincinnati, Ohio, where it was first tested for a limited time to ensure fans would want this kick — and thankfully, Cincinnatians gave it rave reviews. This spicy upgrade will be available nationwide on February 27, though Taco Bell Rewards Members already have early access.

And if this isn't enough spice for you, Taco Ball has one more offering coming down the pike. On March 27, it's also rolling out Caliente Cantina Chicken Nacho Fries, which includes seasoned fries topped with slow-roasted chicken, nacho cheese sauce, cheddar cheese, fiesta strips, sour cream, and a hefty portion of that Caliente Sauce. Just make sure to have a drink handy to cool off with, just in case.