Taco Bell is testing two new menu items at a Newport Beach, Calif., restaurant including the Chile Crisp Chicken Tacos and the Chile Crisp Chicken Strips. Both are in test for one week, or while supplies last.
Both feature a Chile Crisp Sauce, defined by the company as being “sweet, spicy, and citrusy,” and feature bits of guajillo, ancho and Anaheim peppers, garlic, and lime. The tacos are available for $4.99 for two. They are topped with spicy ranch, lettuce, and shredded cheese and are served on top of a flour tortilla. The strips are available for $4.99 for three and are layered with the Chile Crisp Sauce and a side of spicy ranch for dipping.
The company said in a blog it is continuing to expand its chicken offerings to meet demand. During Yum Brands’ investor day event in December, Taco Bell CEO Mark King said chicken is a big opportunity for the brand.
“Right now, a large percentage of our business is beef and the Gen Z consumer wants chicken,” he said. “We have a big opportunity, we think.
That said, this certainly isn’t the first time the chain has experimented with chicken strips. In 2019, Taco Bell tested crispy tortilla chicken strips in two markets before launching the product nationally in 2020. The dish featured tenders marinated in a jalapeño buttermilk mix and coated with tortilla chip crumbs and was served with a chili ranch sauce. In 2021, Taco Bell launched a Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco.
Prior, the company used a chicken tender for its crispy biscuit taco offering, launched nationally in 2014, and the Crispy Chicken Chickstar in 2015. The Naked Chicken Chalupa and Naked Chicken Chips came around in 2017 later and also featured chicken strips.
Adding a spicy kick is also on demand, and Datassential finds that nearly half of Gen Z consumers prefer either moderately spicy toppings or condiments with as much heat as possible. More than 70% of menus now feature a spicy option.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]