Will The Cantina Chicken Menu from Taco Bell live up to the hype?

Taco Bell has been everywhere lately and rightfully so. The Live Mas Live ended up being a huge success for the brand and gave us a lot to look forward to.

While the brand didn't do an exclusive announcement from The Cantina Chicken Menu, it is something we've been hearing about for a while. Of course, that's in large part due to some leaks going on which is inevitable these days.

With the launch of The Cantina Chicken Menu in mind, there's a lot to cover but let's start with what the brand shared in its official press release: "The Cantina Chicken Menu debuts a new flavorful chicken that's been oven-roasted, shredded, and packed with a savory seasoning of Mexican spices including pasilla and other varieties of chilies. Also, the menu adds all-new ingredients including purple cabbage, pico de gallo, a white corn taco shell and an addition to the brand's sauce packet lineup, Avocado Verde Salsa."

If you couldn't tell, the launch of The Cantina Chicken Menu isn't like a normal Taco Bell drop but rather adds a lot to the already vast menu.

Will The Cantina Chicken Menu add something new to Taco Bell?

Before getting into my thoughts on that, I wanted to share what is included in The Cantina Chicken Menu. The menu will include the following: "Cantina Chicken Burrito," "Cantina Chicken Taco (soft or crispy,") Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, and the Cantina Chicken Bowl." It's clear Taco Bell is doing a rift on some of its most popular menu items and that's something to be excited about.

As for The Cantina Chicken Menu adding something new to Taco Bell, I think the opportunity is there as the loss of shredded chicken has plagued many Taco Bell lovers. There were so many great items that used shredded chicken and it seems like the brand is taking steps to bring it back. This menu seems like a step in the right direction.

As previously mentioned, Taco Bell is playing it safe with this menu. Even though it's added some new toppings such as purple cabbage and pico de gallo, the brand is relying on some of its popular and beloved items. It's going to be a new way to enjoy some Taco Bell classics and there's something safe yet smart about that.

Ultimately, this seems like a step in the right direction for those wanting Taco Bell's shredded chicken back because it was and still is such a favorite item for some. I know that I count myself amongst those ranks because so many of my favorite items were taken off the menu.

Either way, I think The Cantina Chicken Menu will live up to the hype and hopefully will give Taco Bell the push it needs to consider adding shredded chicken back to the menu permanently.