El Pollo Loco Doubles Down With 2x the Chicken In New Burrito Bowls Options

If you’ve ever finished a burrito bowl and immediately considered ordering a second one, El Pollo Loco feels your pain. The fire-grilled chicken chain has just introduced two new Double Chicken Burrito Bowls that promise to fix one of fast-casual dining’s oldest complaints: not enough protein to match the price. Each bowl comes loaded with twice the chain’s signature citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken, because, as the brand puts it, "you deserve a burrito bowl...that actually fills you up."

Available for a limited time, the new lineup features the Street Corn Double Chicken Burrito Bowl and the Queso Crunch Double Chicken Burrito Bowl. Two offerings that combine the smoky, zesty, and creamy flavors El Pollo Loco is known for, with enough substance to keep even serious appetites satisfied.

Meat the Bowls

The Street Corn Double Chicken Burrito Bowl channels the bold, buttery flavor of Mexican street corn into a complete meal. It starts with a hearty base of seasoned rice and chopped fire-grilled chicken, then gets a drizzle of creamy chipotle sauce, a scoop of handmade guacamole, a crumble of cotija cheese, and a topping of salsa fresca. The mix hits every note: smoky, tangy, spicy, and fresh.

The Queso Crunch Double Chicken Burrito Bowl leans more comfort-food than street-food. Savory pinto beans, seasoned rice, and a molten layer of warm queso blanco that ties it all together. Add in double portions of the brand’s citrus-marinated chicken, a dollop of guacamole, chopped cilantro, and a spoonful of fresh salsa, and you’ve got a burrito bowl that delivers both texture and flavor in every bite.

Doubling Down On Protein

El Pollo Loco’s move toward “double” portions taps into a clear dining trend: customers want more protein, less filler. Whether you’re chasing macros, skipping the tortilla, or just trying to avoid the 3 p.m. snack crash, protein-heavy meals have become the default order. By doubling down—literally—the chain is acknowledging what frequent burrito-bowl fans already know: extra chicken isn’t indulgent; it’s necessary.

It’s also a nod to value. Fast-casual menus across the board have seen price bumps in the past two years, and diners are paying closer attention to what actually lands in the bowl. A double-chicken option turns a one-bowl lunch into a dinner-level portion, which helps justify the splurge while keeping the brand’s focus on fresh, flame-grilled ingredients.

The El Pollo Loco Signature

Since opening up in Los Angeles in 1980, El Pollo Loco has built its reputation on citrus marinated, fire-grilled chicken. Cooked low and slow over an open flame in kitchens that smell like backyard barbecues. The marinade is a blend of citrus juice, garlic and Mexican spices that locks in flavor before the chicken ever hits the grill. That signature taste carries through every item on the menu, from tacos to bone-in pieces, and now, these limited bowls.

The Last Bite

Both Double Chicken Burrito Bowls are available at participating El Pollo Loco restaurants nationwide for a limited time, though the company hasn’t announced an end date. If history is any guide, fan favorites tend to disappear faster than you can say “salsa rosa,” so consider this your opportunity to double up while you can.

Because when a brand known for fire-grilled flavor offers twice the chicken, the only real question is: when are we going?