Introduction to Crispy Chicken at Taco Bell
Crispy chicken is back at Taco Bell, and this time, it’s bringing a spicy friend along for the ride. On Oct. 14, the Tex Mex-inspired chain announced the return of its fan-favorite Crispy Chicken and introduced Frank’s RedHot Diablo, a “mashup” of Buffalo and hot sauces.
What is Crispy Chicken at Taco Bell
As a reminder, Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken, which were first introduced in December 2024, are all-white meat chicken bites that are marinated in jalapeño and buttermilk, and coated with a blend of breadcrumbs and tortilla chips. Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce combines the flavor of Frank’s RedHot with Taco Bell’s Diablo sauce and spicy ranch. Buffalo sauce, which is commonly made with Frank’s, is now reimagined “the Taco Bell way.”
New Menu Items
Here are the four new, limited-time items:
- Frank’s RedHot Diablo Crispy Chicken Burrito ($5.49): Crispy chicken strips are layered with shredded lettuce, purple cabbage, pico de gallo and cheddar cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla then grilled and finished with Frank’s RedHot Diablo or Avocado Ranch.
- Frank’s RedHot Diablo Crispy Chicken Soft Taco ($2.99): A soft flour tortilla is filled with a Crispy Chicken strip, purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo and cheddar cheese and topped with the choice of Frank’s RedHot Diablo or Avocado Ranch. It’s also part of Taco Bell’s Welcome Reward picklist for new members for a limited time.
- Frank’s RedHot Diablo Chicken Nacho Fries ($4.99): Nacho Fries are piled with slow-roasted chicken, nacho cheese sauce, a three-cheese blend, pico de gallo and a drizzle of Frank’s RedHot Diablo.
- Crispy Chicken Strips with Spicy Ranch ($6.99): Four Crispy Chicken Strips are served up with the choice of Spicy Ranch or Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce.
Statement from Taco Bell
“For decades, our sauces have become a core part of the Taco Bell experience,” Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s global chief food innovation officer, said in a press release. “Crispy Chicken is our stage for flavor innovation, with every new sauce collaboration breaking new ground. We take our sauces seriously — they’re the hero of our continued success and reinforces there’s no limit to how we reimagine the classics.”
Future of Crispy Chicken at Taco Bell
Taco Bell says Crispy Chicken isn’t just back, it’s “building its legacy” at the chain with the plan to make crispy chicken items permanent additions to the Taco Bell menu. This news comes after burger chains like Wendy’s and McDonald’s are shifting their focus to crispy chicken in order to keep up with popular poultry-focused chains like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A.
Conclusion
The return of Crispy Chicken at Taco Bell is a significant move for the chain, and the introduction of Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce is a bold new flavor combination. With the plan to make crispy chicken items permanent additions to the menu, Taco Bell is poised to compete with other popular chicken chains.
FAQs
Q: When is Crispy Chicken returning to Taco Bell?
A: Crispy Chicken returned to Taco Bell on Oct. 16.
Q: What is Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce?
A: Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce is a mashup of Buffalo and hot sauces, combining the flavor of Frank’s RedHot with Taco Bell’s Diablo sauce and spicy ranch.
Q: What are the new menu items featuring Crispy Chicken?
A: The four new menu items are Frank’s RedHot Diablo Crispy Chicken Burrito, Frank’s RedHot Diablo Crispy Chicken Soft Taco, Frank’s RedHot Diablo Chicken Nacho Fries, and Crispy Chicken Strips with Spicy Ranch.
Q: Are Crispy Chicken items becoming permanent additions to the Taco Bell menu?
A: Yes, Taco Bell plans to make crispy chicken items permanent additions to the menu.
