Taco Bell unveils surprising new menu items that threaten McDonald’s

Food trends come and go, but one reigns supreme, still beloved by adults and kids alike. 

Maybe it’s nostalgia or the food’s simplicity. Either way, nothing is more irresistible than crispy chicken, and Taco Bell is determined to make its version the best on the market.   

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A growing chicken trend has emerged among fast-food chains, with major players like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, McDonald’s  (MCD) , and Restaurant Brands International’s  (QSR)  Burger King and Popeyes focusing on launching new chicken-based products to dominate the sector.

Related: Taco Bell reveals 30 new menu items launching in 2025

As a fast-food leader, Taco Bell decided to enter the chicken game. However, it isn’t just hopping on a trend; it’s creating a version with its own unmistakable flavor.

Taco Bell unveils new menu items.

Image source: Yum! Brands

Taco Bell enters the chicken trend by launching Crispy Chicken Nuggets

Crispy Chicken Nuggets first debuted on Taco Bell’s menu in December of last year, and while available, they made up nearly one in six orders. This menu item was so successful that almost 5 million customers tried it, which caused it to sell out nationwide in under a week.

The product’s success might be due to its uniqueness, since Taco Bell tested over 50 recipes and flavor combinations to make the nuggets stand out from the rest. 

Related: Taco Bell menu adds more items customers demanded

Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are made with all-white meat chicken marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated in a crunchy tortilla-chip and breadcrumb blend. 

Because of how much fans love the Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell relaunched them for a limited time in April. The demand was so overwhelming that it decided to expand the product even further. 

Taco Bell unveils new Crispy Chicken menu items and release date

Yum! Brands’  (YUM)  Taco Bell is launching the new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos, featuring the fan-favorite Crispy Chicken Nuggets in strip form.

The Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos are filled with Crispy Chicken Strips, purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo, and shredded cheddar cheese, all folded or wrapped inside a warm tortilla.

Everyone knows no Taco Bell meal is complete without a good dipping sauce, so in addition to the new items, the fast-food chain is also introducing two new sauces: Spicy Ranchero and Avocado Ranch.

“Crispy chicken is having a moment, but our fans made it a movement,” said Taco Bell’s Chief Marketing Officer Taylor Montgomery in a press release. “So, we decided to bring our sell-out Nuggets recipe to the formats that defined our brand because true innovation means elevating the icons, not replacing them. We’re not like every other chicken spot out there; we’re doing crispy chicken the only way we know how: full of flavor and unmistakably Taco Bell.”

More Food News:

The new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos will be available starting June 17 at all participating Taco Bell locations nationwide for a limited time, as of now.

Although the new Crispy Chicken menu items are only available temporarily, Taco Bell has revealed that it’s working on launching more Crispy Chicken items and will make Crispy Chicken a permanent part of the menu by 2026.

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