The Crispy Chicken Era Lives On: Taco Bell's Nuggets Make a Spicy Return with New Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce
Rhea-AI Summary
Taco Bell (CLX) reintroduced its fan-favorite Crispy Chicken Nuggets and launched a new Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce on January 22, 2026.
The release highlights that Taco Bell sold over 70 million crispy chicken menu items since launch and that Crispy Chicken drove nearly 25% of all new customers to the brand in 2025. Nuggets are sold in multiple sizes and combos with listed prices and nationwide availability at participating locations and the Taco Bell app, for a limited time while supplies last.
Positive
- 70 million crispy chicken menu items sold since launch
- Crispy Chicken drove nearly 25% of new customers to the brand in 2025
- Nationwide re-release with multiple SKUs and combo pricing starting Jan 22, 2026
Negative
- Crispy Chicken Nuggets available for a limited time and while supplies last
- Prices are higher with delivery, increasing cost for some customers
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CLX gained 1.50%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Sector peers show mixed moves: CHD -0.26%, HIMS -5.28%, EL +2.75%, KMB -1.39%, CL +0.05%, and no peers in the momentum scanner, indicating stock-specific trading rather than a coordinated sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16 | Partnership expansion | Positive | -1.1% | Expanded multi-year Realize the Dream partnership with volunteer initiative. |
| Jan 13 | Earnings webcast notice | Neutral | +2.3% | Announcement of schedule for Q2 FY 2026 results webcast. |
| Jan 13 | Product launch | Positive | +1.8% | Launch of Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer spray line for household allergens. |
| Dec 11 | Promotional product | Positive | +0.3% | Kingsford limited-edition Christmas Coal charcoal and social giveaway. |
| Dec 02 | Marketing campaign | Positive | -0.5% | Glad ad campaign featuring Oscar the Grouch and related promotions. |
Recent brand and partnership news often saw modest, mixed price reactions, with both alignments and divergences around generally positive announcements.
Over the past few months, Clorox has focused on brand-building and product innovation. On Dec 2, 2025, a Glad campaign with Oscar the Grouch slightly coincided with a -0.49% move. Kingsford’s Christmas Coal promotion on Dec 11, 2025 saw a 0.3% change. New allergen-neutralizing sprays launched on Jan 13, 2026 with a 1.76% gain. The same day, an earnings webcast announcement preceded a 2.34% move. A partnership expansion on Jan 16, 2026 aligned with a -1.12% reaction, underscoring inconsistent trading around largely positive brand news.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement centers on Taco Bell’s menu innovation and sauce collaboration, which has no direct operational tie to Clorox’s core household and personal products business. For Clorox, recent context instead includes product launches like Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer and brand campaigns across Kingsford and Glad. Investors tracking CLX may focus more on these initiatives, insider activity, and the scheduled February 3, 2026 earnings release for clearer signals on fundamentals and strategy.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Taco Bell® doubles down on its crispy chicken cred with a Nuggets comeback and a sauce collaboration crafted for fans who crave their flavor fired up.
TLDR:
- Taco Bell is turning up the heat with the return of fan-favorite Crispy Chicken Nuggets and the debut of the all-new Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce—marking a bold one-year milestone in its game-changing crispy-chicken run, with no signs of slowing down.
- Not just nuggets — Taco Bell Crispy Chicken Nuggets are made with all-white-meat chicken and a uniquely crispy tortilla-chip-flaked breading that delivers serious crunch and serious cred.
- Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce turns the fan-favorite collab up a notch, fusing the signature cool creaminess of Hidden Valley Ranch with the smoky, rich heat of Taco Bell's iconic
Diablo sauce for a new sauce that was made to go big on Crispy Chicken. - Crispy Chicken Nuggets and Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce assets can be found HERE.
A Year of Crispy Wins — and an Even Hotter Next Chapter
Since making their debut in Taco Bell's lineup, Crispy Chicken has driven nearly a quarter of all new customers to the brand in 2025, and Nuggets have quickly skyrocketed to cult-favorite status. Made from all-white-meat chicken and coated in a uniquely crispy tortilla-chip-flaked breading, Crispy Chicken Nuggets became a breakout hit that helped establish Taco Bell as a crispy chicken destination on its own terms. Now, the brand is building on that momentum with a re-release of Crispy Chicken Nuggets paired with a ranch that truly brings the heat Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce. The new ranch is a spicy remix blending Hidden Valley Ranch's beloved creamy ranch flavor with the smoky heat of Taco Bell's fan-favorite
A year after stepping into the crispy chicken game, Taco Bell keeps proving it belongs—thanks to fresh ideas, bold swings, and paying respect to beloved classics.
"Over the past year, our crispy chicken has built a loyal fanbase faster than we could've imagined — and we're just getting started," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer. "Bringing back Crispy Chicken Nuggets while leveling up our collab with Hidden Valley Ranch is our way of doubling down on what fans are clearly craving: big flavor, bold heat, and unexpected twists that only Taco Bell can deliver."
Another Notch in Taco Bell's Sauce Journey
Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce is the latest in Taco Bell and Hidden Valley Ranch's growing history of collaboration, showing that iconic sauces can provide serious flavor cred. What started with Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce now evolves into a fiercer, flavor-packed follow-up built for fans who like their ranch with an unapologetic kick. It's not just a new sauce; it's the next chapter in Taco Bell's journey to level up its flavor game one sauce at a time.
"Our goal was simple: take the ranch fans love and give it a fiery upgrade worthy of Taco Bell's bold flavors," said Michelle Amador, Head of Away-From-Home Sales & Partnerships at Hidden Valley Ranch. "Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce delivers on that promise with a perfect balance of cool and heat."
The Diablo-Ready Nugget Lineup
Crispy Chicken Nuggets return in multiple size options, and available with Taco Bell's full suite of signature sauces:
- 5-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets —
$4.49 - 10-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets —
$7.49 - 10-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets Combo —
$9.49
Includes 10pc Nuggets, Regular Fries, large fountain drink, and choice of 2 sauces - Nugget Deluxe Combo —
$11.49
Features 5pc Nuggets with choice of 1 sauce, Beef Chalupa Supreme, Crunchy Taco, Regular Fries with Nacho Cheese Sauce, and large fountain drink
Crispy Chicken Nuggets and Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce will be available starting January 22 at participating Taco Bell locations nationwide and in the Taco Bell app. Fans can download the app to explore exclusive offers and stay up to date on the latest menu news.
* At participating locations for a limited time only (if applicable), while supplies last. Contact restaurant for prices, hours and participation, which vary. Taxes extra. Prices higher with delivery. In combos and boxes, drinks exclude freezes and specialty beverages.
About Taco Bell Corp.
For more than 63 years, Taco Bell has brought innovative, craveable Mexican-inspired food to the masses, and was recently recognized as one of Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies, one of TIME's Most Influential Companies, and Nation's Restaurant News' Brand Icon. For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com, our Newsroom at www.TacoBell.com/news, or check out www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on LinkedIn, TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook and by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
About Hidden Valley Ranch
Founded in 1954, Hidden Valley Ranch™ (NYSE: CLX) is the original ranch dressing and America's favorite*. From classic bottles to seasoning packets and plant-powered options, Hidden Valley Ranch offers a variety of ways to enjoy the flavor fans love across meals and snacks. Find Hidden Valley products in stores nationwide or online. CLX-B
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/hidden.valley
Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@hiddenvalleyranch
Learn more at HiddenValley.com
*Best-selling Ranch brand based on national retail sales
Jacqueline Cisneros – Taco Bell Corp.
Jacqueline.Cisneros@yum.com
Max Akselrad – Edelman
Max.Akselrad@edelman.com
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SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.
FAQ
When did Taco Bell (CLX) relaunch Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch?
How many crispy chicken menu items has Taco Bell (CLX) sold since the launch?
What customer impact did Crispy Chicken have for Taco Bell (CLX) in 2025?
What are the Crispy Chicken Nugget size and price options at Taco Bell (CLX)?
Will Taco Bell (CLX) offer the Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce across all sauces?
Are Crispy Chicken Nuggets at Taco Bell (CLX) available on the app and in restaurants?
