TACO BELL BRINGS BACK FAN-FAVORITE CHICKEN NUGGETS WITH AMBITIONS TO MAKE CRISPY CHICKEN PERMANENT BY 2026

USA - English

• USA - español

Following a sell-out launch and overwhelming fan demand, Crispy Chicken Nuggets return to menus on April 24 with permanent plans in the works

TLDR:

• After fan demand sparked a sell-out last December, Crispy Chicken Nuggets return April 24 as the first step in Taco Bell's plan to add crispy chicken to menus permanently by 2026.
• Taco Bell tested over 50+ recipes and flavor combinations to perfect the crispy tortilla-chip breaded coating that makes these nuggets irresistible.
• Bold by design, the nuggets are made with tender all-white meat chicken, marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk, complete with a tortilla-crumb coating.
• Saucy sidekicks are back, including choice of Hidden Valley™ Fire Ranch Sauce, Bell Sauce, and Jalapeño Honey Mustard, all crafted for maximum dipping moments.
• Crispy Chicken Nuggets and epic sauce pairing assets can be found here.

IRVINE, Calif., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Taco Bell's Crispy Chicken Nuggets are making a comeback on April 24, after selling out nationwide in December 2024 in less than a week. This time, they're bringing bigger plans with them. Followed by a menu pipeline of chicken-led innovation, the nugget's return is the start of Taco Bell's journey to become a go-to destination for crispy chicken with a permanent mainstay by 2026.

"We're a taco place doing chicken our own way and like all our best moments, it's a little unexpected – because we've never been about following the rules," said Taco Bell's Chief Marketing Officer, Taylor Montgomery. "The demand for our nuggets was off the charts, which is why we're looking at making crispy chicken permanent to give our fans what they are telling us they want. We know we're not the usual name in crispy chicken, but our nuggets speak for themselves — they're bold, different, and unmistakably Taco Bell."

Crispy Chicken Dominance is Just Heating Up
After testing more than 50+ recipes and flavor combinations, Taco Bell perfected the crispy tortilla-chip breaded coating that's set to join menus permanently in 2026. With new forms and sauce pairings in the works all year long, fans can expect even more craveable drops ahead, including a sweet and spicy collab with Mike's Hot Honey®, coming later this year. As 95% of innovations from the Taco Bell test kitchen feature chicken as the premier protein, Taco Bell's chicken dominance is becoming undeniable. From the Cantina Chicken Menu to tests like Chicken Al Pastor Street Chalupas, everyone's favorite taco place is suddenly becoming everyone's favorite chicken place.

Fueled by Cravings, Powered by Fans
Taco Bell's Crispy Chicken has already earned global acclaim as a top-selling menu item, and the nationwide US debut proved to be just as iconic. During the initial run, roughly 5 million Americans turned to Taco Bell to satisfy their crispy chicken cravings. The response was overwhelming—almost 1 in 6 orders included Crispy Chicken Nuggets, leading to a nationwide sell-out in under a week. Message received: a taco joint can do chicken, too.

From day one, Taco Bell fans made it clear that the Crispy Chicken Nuggets were a "delish" smash hit. As many fans were left without the savory tortilla-chip coated goodness, the cultural obsession only grew as those desperate for nuggets demanded (even dreamt of) a comeback. That dream became reality at Live Más LIVE, where Taco Bell surprised superfans with the big reveal: Crispy Chicken Nuggets are making their return. And this is just the beginning—a bold new crispy chicken era is on the horizon.

Crispy Chicken Nuggets: Dip, Dunk, Devour
Fans know these aren't the run of the mill nuggets. They're built to defy expectations with every bite. Made with tender all-white meat chicken, Taco Bell's Crispy Chicken Nuggets are marinated in a zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor, breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and crispy tortilla chips. First introduced as a bold remix on a comfort classic, they became a sell-out sensation, delivering unmatched flavor and texture with a crisp so mouthwatering, it's confusingly good that they're from Taco Bell.

Fans have a handful of ways to enjoy their nugget experience.

• Crispy Chicken Nuggets a la carte: 
  • 5-piece nugget + 1 dipping sauce: $3.99*
  • 10-piece nugget + 2 dipping sauces: $6.99*
• Crispy Chicken Nuggets Combo: Complete your meal with an order of regular Nacho Fries, nacho cheese sauce, and a large fountain drink.
  • 5-piece nugget combo + 1 dipping sauce: $5.99*
  • 10-piece nugget combo + 2 dipping sauces: $8.99*

Nuggets need the perfect sauce pairing—and fans made their favorite loud and clear. Hidden Valley™ Fire Ranch Sauce is back by popular demand after becoming the top-selected sauce for crispy chicken orders during the first run. It leads the returning trio from last year's introduction alongside the tangy Bell Sauce and bold Jalapeño Honey Mustard, offering a crave-worthy lineup to elevate every dunk.

After dipping and dunking in their sauce of choice, fans can mail in their used, empty dipping cups throughout the month of April to earn 80 bonus Taco Bell Rewards points. Thanks to Taco Bell's Sauce Container US Recycling Program partnership with TerraCycle®**, hundreds of thousands of used sauce packets and single-use sauce containers have been collected.

Keep an eye on social and LinkedIn to see how the crispy chicken craze comes to life.

About Taco Bell Corp.
For more than 62 years, Taco Bell has brought innovative, craveable Mexican-inspired food to the masses, and was recently recognized as one of Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies, one of TIME's Most Influential Companies, and Nation's Restaurant News' Brand Icon. For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com, our Newsroom at www.TacoBell.com/news, or check out www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on LinkedIn, TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook and by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

*At participating locations for a limited time only, while supplies last. Contact restaurant for prices, hours and participation, which vary. Taxes extra. Prices higher with delivery. In combos and boxes, drinks exclude freezes.

**US only. Earn 80 Bonus Reward points when you recycle your used, empty sauce packets, sauce dipping cups, 2 oz souffle cups/lids, and coffee creamer pods with TerraCycle from 4/1/2025 - 4/30/2025 through 11:59 PM PST. (Taco Bell and any other brands accepted). Rewards members must use their Taco Bell Rewards account email address when they recycle on the TerraCycle site in order to receive the bonus points. 80 Bonus Points will only be rewarded one time per Taco Bell Rewards account regardless of the quantity of packets being recycled. Bonus Points will be reflected in Taco Bell Rewards account around mid-May 2025. No cash value. Taco Bell Rewards program is available at participating US locations and subject to terms and conditions. https://www.tacobell.com/terracycle.

Ronald Quintero – Taco Bell Corp.
[email protected]

Rosie Herzog – Edelman
[email protected] 

SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.