Following successful tests in Minneapolis in 2023 and Houston earlier this year, the Taco Bell quick service restaurant chain introduced Crispy Chicken Nuggets and a trio of dipping sauces across the USA on December 19. The tender all-white meat chicken bites, marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor and breaded with a blend of crumbs and crunchy tortilla chips, will be available for a limited time and while supplies last.
The Irvine, California-headquartered operator’s culinary team tested over 100 sauces to curate three dip pairings: Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce (a blend of Taco Bell Fire Sauce and Hidden Valley Ranch); the new signature Bell Sauce (a rich, creamy and tangy blend with subtle chili notes accented with tomatoes, red chiles and garlic); and sweet and hot Jalapeño Honey Mustard Sauce (a fusion of sweet and heat, featuring honey mustard with a kick of jalapeño).
“As the inventors of Nacho Fries, we are fully aware that reinventing an American classic with a Taco Bell twist is a responsibility not taken lightly. But in a world dominated by chicken cravings, it was time to show the how Taco Bell does chicken nuggets – unexpected and undeniably bold,” said Chief Marketing Officer Taylor Montgomery. “The Crispy Chicken Nuggets deliver a crispier, more flavorful nugget experience, and combined with the Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce, we hope it will test people’s devotion to their favorite nuggets.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Taco Bell,” said C.C. Ciafone, marketing director at Hidden Valley Ranch. “Ranch and chicken nuggets are an iconic pairing, so it just made sense to create a ranch perfectly designed for Taco Bell’s unique twist on nuggets.”
Customers can order Crispy Chicken Nuggets a number of ways: a la carte; as a combo with nacho fries and a large fountain drink; or as a deluxe meal served along with a crunchy taco, beef chalupa, regular nacho fries, and a medium fountain drink.
