Taco Bell Takes Aim at McDonald's With New Chicken Menu Item

Marisa Losciale
·2 min read
11

Taco Bell signage outside restaurant.

Taco Bell isn't playing chicken with the competition, it's frying it and serving it as a new menu item.

The fast food chain is currently testing out a new offering that's giving fans flashbacks to its beloved but long-gone Naked Chicken Chips (introduced in 2017, the entrée featured triangular-shaped chicken "chips" seasoned with a blend of spices and served with a side of nacho cheese sauce).

If you guessed chicken nuggets, you'd be correct–but it's nothing like what you'd get if you ordered the McNuggets at McDonald's.

Taco Bell's Crispy Chicken Nuggets, made from all-white meat chicken, are "marinated in spiced jalapeño buttermilk before being breaded in a tortilla coating and fried to crispy glory," per an official description previewed at the first-ever Live Más event.

The nuggets are also bringing along two new "delectable" sauce options: The signature Bell sauce, which is crafted with tomatoes, red chiles, onion, and garlic, or the hot and sweet Jalapeño Honey Mustard, said to combine "sweet honey mustard with a kick of jalapeño."

But to get your hands on the new addition, you'll have to visit one of the test kitchens in Houston, Texas. T-Bell enthusiasts are instructed to check the app for specific locations.

The Crispy Chicken Nuggets are scheduled to be available until Wednesday, June 5, or while supplies last, according to insight shared with Snackolater, a foodie influencer who regularly tries and previews new menu items and snack options.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Snackolator (@snackolator)

The news was met with a wide range of emotions from social media users, most of which were positive.

"I HAVE BEEN ASKING @TACOBELL TO BRING BACK THEIR CHICKEN CHIPS FOR YEARS!!!! HOLY S--T IF THESE TASTE ANY SIMILAR IM GOIN TO HEAVEN THIS SUMMER," one Instagram user exclaimed, adding, "PLEASE TASTE LIKE CHICKEN CHIPS PLS!!! THEY NEED TO BRING THOSE BACK."

"@tacobell we need these in CA🙌🔥🔥," a different fan begged.

"Normally I would say 'no' to any chicken tender/nugget offering from The Bell, but the jalapeño buttermilk marinade intrigues me," a third admitted. "Would try if they went nationwide."

"Aren’t Taco Bell supposed to be Taco Bell and not kfc?" someone else joked.

"Are they better than McNuggets?" another Instagram user asked, to which a fan replied, "yes."

Along with the Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell also revealed that it is testing Churro Chillers in select locations and beefing up its menu with seven new additions–including its legendary Nacho Fries.

Next: Taco Bell Revives a Nostalgic Treat With a Modern Update