Ending a relationship is scary, but there’s another kind of breakup that’s almost as terrifying. Have you ever discovered a new item at a fast food restaurant, only to find it’s been discontinued when you next visit the drive-thru? We’ve all experienced that feeling of loss, and we’ve all fallen for limited-edition items that were only released briefly. But one major fast-food chain is trying to ease that heartbreak by making a fan-favorite item permanent.
Taco Bell revealed to Food & Wine that it’s bringing back the Crispy Chicken Nuggets after their wildly successful (albeit short-lived) launch last December. Starting April 24, you can find the nostalgic nuggets on menus nationwide for just $4 for five and $7 for 10.
The brand first revealed details of the launch at its Live Más LIVE event in early March, and the prospect of more crispy chicken was well-received by the audience.
“We’re a taco shop that does chicken our way, and like all of our best moments, this was a little unexpected because we’ve never played by the rules,” said Taylor Montgomery, Taco Bell’s chief marketing officer, in a press release.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to try this dish before, you might be wondering how Taco Bell, a chain known for its Tex-Mex cuisine that often features a heavy dose of cheese, handled this fast food classic.
According to Taco Bell, the R&D team tried more than 50 breading recipes for the nuggets before settling on corn flakes as the coating. The winning recipe marinated white meat chicken in chipotle buttermilk, coated it in a thick layer of crushed corn flakes, and fried to perfection.
These crispy nuggets were an instant hit. “The response to our crispy nuggets was so strong that almost one in six orders during our initial launch included this nugget,” a Taco Bell spokesperson exclusively told Food & Wine. “Fans are not only excited, but enthusiastic, and that kind of demand doesn’t come around every day. It’s clear to us that this is more than just a fun limited-time menu item, it’s a sign that our consumers are craving Taco Bell’s crispy chicken.”
In the brand’s press release, Montgomery also noted, “We know we’re not a regular brand for crispy chicken, but our nuggets speak for themselves.”
That’s not the only exciting returning item: Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce—a spicy, tangy, and creamy dipping sauce that debuted with nuggets in late 2024—is also coming to a Taco Bell near you. Based on order data from the Crispy Chicken Nuggets debut, the brand noted that Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce was the most ordered side dish, so you should definitely try it together.
If ranch sauce isn’t your thing, there are two other returning condiments—Bell’s Sauce and Jalapeño Honey Mustard—for dipping.
The chain, which operates under the heavy backing of Yum! Brands, says it’s finally listening to customer feedback, which is why it’s committed to crispy chicken for the long haul: The return of crispy nuggets kicks off Taco Bell’s broader plan to make crispy chicken (not just nuggets) a permanent part of the menu by 2026, the brand told us via email, and we’re excited to hear that news.
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