FILE - A Taco Bell Mexican fast food restaurant and drive thru is pictured in Gastonia, North Carolina. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
IRVINE, Calif. - Taco Bell will soon begin offering something unexpected on the menu: chicken nuggets.
The Mexican-inspired fast food chain, known for its Crunchwrap Supreme, Cheesy Gordita Crunch, and other offerings, will begin offering crispy chicken nuggets at restaurants nationwide on Dec. 19.
They’ll remain on the menu "for a limited time and while supplies last," according to the Yum! Brands-owned company.
Taco Bell’s tortilla chip-breaded Crispy Chicken Nuggets and the Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce will be available starting on Dec. 19, 2024, the company said. (Credit: Taco Bell)
The new nuggets were described as "tender all-white meat chicken bites" that are marinated in a "zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor and breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and crunchy tortilla chips." They’ll also come with three dipping sauce options: a new Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce, a signature Bell Sauce and sweet and hot Jalapeño Honey Mustard Sauce.
Taco Bell cans can get a five-piece nugget and one dipping sauce for $3.99, and a 10-piece nugget with two dipping sauces for $6.99.
The chain will also offer a Crispy Chicken Nuggets Combo, which comes with an order of regular Nacho Fries, nacho cheese sauce, and a large fountain drink. The five-piece order runs for $5.99 and the 10-piece combo order runs for $8.99.
Meanwhile, Taco Bell also will offer a $10.49 crispy chicken nugget deluxe meal containing five nuggets, a dipping sauce, a Crunchy Taco, Beef Chalupa, regular Nacho Fries and a medium fountain drink, the chain said.
The nuggets will compete with similar items offered by other fast-food giants like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s and Burger King.
Chicken has become an increasingly popular category at fast-food restaurants. In late October, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski described it as a "massive category worldwide that’s twice the size of beef and growing much faster."
The Source: This story was written based on information published by Taco Bell on Dec. 17, 2024. It was reported from Cincinnati, and FOX Business contributed.