Taco Bell brings back its limited-time Crispy Chicken Nuggets on Jan. 22, paired with a spicy Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce, promising fans a new flavor twist.
At a Glance
- Crispy Chicken Nuggets return to menus on Jan. 22 with a new sauce.
- Available in 5-piece and 10-piece orders, plus two combo options.
- The chain hints the nuggets may become a permanent menu item in 2026.
The return of the Crispy Chicken Nuggets marks the third appearance of the dish since its debut in December 2024. The fast-food chain announced the comeback on Thursday, Jan. 22, after two brief limited-time stints in December 2024 and again in April 2025.
The Nugget Comeback
The Crispy Chicken Nuggets are still made with white-meat chicken and a tortilla chip-breading. The new launch comes with a Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce, a blend of Hidden Valley Ranch and Taco Bell’s Diablo hot sauce. The new sauce is a step up in spice level from the Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce that accompanied the nuggets in 2024.
Sauce Breakdown
- Hidden Valley Ranch: Classic creamy ranch base.
- Diablo Hot Sauce: Adds heat and a smoky flavor.
- Result: A spicy, creamy condiment that pairs well with the crunchy coating.
The sauce is available in a single-sauce option for the 5-piece order and a double-sauce option for the 10-piece order.
Menu Options
Taco Bell offers several ways to enjoy the nuggets:
| Order Type | Pieces | Sauce | Combo Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-piece | 5 | 1 | Nugget Deluxe Combo – 5-piece nuggets, 1 sauce, Beef Chalupa, Crunchy Taco, fries with cheese sauce, large fountain drink |
| 10-piece | 10 | 2 | 10-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets Combo – 10-piece nuggets, fries, large fountain drink, 2 sauces |
Both orders are sold separately, and customers can also purchase sauces on their own.
Future of Crispy Chicken
Despite the short-term drops over the last two years, the chain teased that crispy chicken was “set to land on Taco Bell menus for good in 2026.” The announcement was made in 2025, indicating a long-term plan for the product.
Other Crispy Chicken Offerings
In addition to the nuggets, Taco Bell released Crispy Chicken Strips in the past year. These strips appear in menu items such as:
- Avocado Ranch Crispy Chicken Taco
- Creamy Chipotle Crispy Chicken Burrito
These items showcase the brand’s continued focus on crispy chicken in its menu lineup.
Burger King’s Crispy Lineup
Around the same time, Burger King launched its own crispy menu items. The chain introduced the Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The burger features a 4.4-oz. beef patty, onion rings, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and peppercorn aioli.
Burger King also added the Bacon Cheddar Hash Whopper, which tops a ¼-lb. beef patty with bacon, an egg patty, cheddar cheese sauce, hash browns, and hollandaise aioli between a sesame-seed bun.
Key Takeaways
- Crispy Chicken Nuggets return on Jan. 22 with a new Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce.
- Orders come in 5-piece and 10-piece sizes, with two combo options.
- Taco Bell hints at a permanent menu presence for 2026.
- The brand continues to expand its crispy chicken offerings, including strips and tacos.
- Burger King’s recent launches focus on crispy, indulgent burgers.
These developments highlight the growing trend of crispy chicken across fast-food chains, offering fans new flavor combinations and menu variety.
