Taco Bell is stepping outside its usual Mexican-inspired menu with a bold new offering: chicken nuggets. Starting Thursday, December 19, Taco Bell will serve crispy chicken nuggets for a limited time at participating locations.
This move marks the chain's first venture into the competitive world of chicken nuggets, a category traditionally dominated by fast food giants like McDonald's, Wendy's, and Chick-fil-A.
Taco Bell Launches Zesty, Crispy Chicken Nuggets
To make the product its own, Taco Bell is putting a twist on the classic chicken nugget. Instead of using traditional breading, the chain marinated the chicken in a zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor.
The nuggets are then coated in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs to give them an extra crispy texture. The result is a uniquely Taco Bell take on the beloved snack, adding a burst of flavor that sets it apart from other chicken nuggets on the market.
According to CNN, the new chicken nuggets are available with three dipping sauces, including Taco Bell's exclusive Bell Sauce, a sweet and spicy jalapeño honey mustard, and a bold new Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce.
These sauces are designed to complement the flavor of the chicken and cater to the adventurous tastes of younger consumers, particularly Gen Z. Taco Bell has noticed that younger eaters are increasingly choosing chicken over red meat, which is why the chain has been expanding its poultry offerings in recent months.
This shift toward chicken started earlier this year with the launch of the Cantina Chicken Menu, which featured oven-roasted, shredded chicken in tacos and salads.
The response was positive, helping Taco Bell increase sales by 5% in the quarter following the menu's release. According to former CEO Mark King, a significant portion of the business now comes from chicken-based items, driven by consumer demand.
Taco Bell Debuts Limited-Time Chicken Nuggets, Prices Range from $3.99 to $10.49
The new chicken nuggets will be priced at $3.99 for five pieces with one sauce, or $6.99 for 10 pieces with two sauces.
A value meal option is also available for $10.49, which includes five nuggets, a sauce, a crunchy taco, a beef chalupa, nacho fries, and a medium soda. Prices may vary depending on location.
Although Taco Bell is known for its Mexican-inspired dishes, the company has made a habit of experimenting with bold, non-traditional items. Last year, they introduced the "Naked Chicken Chips," a similar offering that was only available for a limited time.
This time, Taco Bell hopes the new chicken nuggets will appeal to a broad audience and test consumers' loyalty to their favorite chicken nuggets, with the company aiming to carve out a place in the chicken nugget market.
Taco Bell is also planning to release other new menu items in 2024, including a Baja Blast pie and fruit-infused Agua Refrescas. The chain is known for constantly evolving its menu, offering customers fresh and unexpected flavors, Cincinnati Enquirer said.
Whether the new chicken nuggets will be a hit remains to be seen, but Taco Bell's continued efforts to expand and innovate its offerings suggest they are not afraid to take risks and cater to changing consumer tastes.
Customers interested in trying the chicken nuggets should act quickly, as the offer is only available for a limited time, and availability may vary by location. With this move, Taco Bell is proving once again that it's willing to step outside the box and keep surprising its fans.
