Taco Bell is ringing in the new year with a new sauce and a returning chicken item. The limited-time menu also introduces a new sauce collaboration with Hidden Valley Ranch, adding another bold option to Taco Bell’s evolving lineup. Fans are eager to see the return of Taco Bell’s crispy chicken offerings.
Taco Bell Brings Back Crispy Chicken Nuggets With New Sauce Pairing
Taco Bell continues to refresh its menu with new flavor profiles designed to keep customers engaged. The brand expanded its crispy chicken offerings last year, which instantly became a hit among consumers and selling more than 70 million crispy chicken items nationwide.
Taco Bell has now introduced Crispy Chicken Nuggets again. The products, such as crispy chicken, have contributed to a substantial growth in the new customer base, with almost one-fourth of the customers having initially tried the brand in 2025.
The Crispy Chicken Nuggets have gained momentum following their release, becoming one of the favorite items among the fans.
Prepared with all-white-meat chicken and covered by a flaked breading made of a tortilla chip, the nuggets helped Taco Bell carve out a niche in the competitive crispy chicken market.
Taco Bell is also introducing Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce, as it continues to pursue the strategy of sauce-driven innovation.
Liz Matthews, the Global Chief Food Innovation Officer of Taco Bell, says that the rebound is the promise of the brand to include more foods that resonate with customers and the introduction of new flavor combinations based on the bold approach of the brand.
Taco Bell Partners With Hidden Valley Ranch on New Sauce Offering
Taco Bell has continued its collaboration with Hidden Valley Ranch to launch Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce, the new dynamic product. It is based on the previous partnerships, such as Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce, highlighting Taco Bell’s continued focus on flavor-driven innovation.
Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce is a blend of the creamy perceptions of Hidden Valley Ranch and the smokiness of the Diablo sauce of Taco Bell. The combination will deliver a balance of cool and spicy flavors, which is in line with the established taste identities of both brands.
Michelle Amador, the Head of Away-From-Home Sales and Partnerships of Hidden Valley Ranch, indicated that the idea was to make the traditional ranch taste a bolder and spicier profile. “Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce delivers on that promise with a perfect balance of cool and heat.”
What the New Lineup Brings to the Table
The revived Crispy Chicken Nuggets will be available in various forms, providing customers with a choice of orders in the menu:
- 5-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets ($4.49): Comes with an option of one signature sauce.
- 10-Piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets ($7.49): Comes with an option of 2 signature sauces.
- 10-Piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets Combo ($9.49): Includes 10 nuggets, regular fries, 1 large fountain beverage, and a selection of two sauces.
- Nugget Deluxe Combo ($11.49): Comes with five nuggets and one sauce of choice, crunchy taco, Beef Chalupa Supreme, regular fries with Nacho Cheese Sauce, and a large fountain drink.
The Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce and Crispy Chicken Nuggets have been available nationwide since January 22 in Taco Bell restaurants and through the Taco Bell mobile application.
Taco Bell is reasserting its belief in menu experimentation and the power of the sauce with the introduction of its Crispy Chicken Nuggets and the Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch sauce, which is an expansion of its signature sauce offerings. The product lineup is another addition to the expanding chicken menu of the brand and giving a fan-favorite item a new spicy twist.
