Taco Bell is kicking off 2022 with an unusual addition to its menu.
The Mexican fast-food chain announced earlier this week that it’s adding chicken wings to its menu early next year. Simply called Crispy Chicken Wings, the new menu item features five, bone-in fried chicken wings coated in flavorful Mexican Queso seasoning and served with spicy ranch dipping sauce
Priced at $5.99 per order, Crispy Chicken Wings will be available at all Taco Bell locations nationwide starting January 6th, every day after 2 p.m. Unfortunately for chicken wing lovers, this new offering will only be on the menu for one week. So if you want to give it try, make sure to drop by your local Taco Bell as soon as it becomes available.
While it’s unclear how Taco Bell reached the decision to add chicken wings to its menu, chicken wings on fast-food menus have become more popular since people started to crave comfort food during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, a number of restaurant chains have recently expanded their chicken wing offerings due to the increased interest in the menu item. These diners include Applebee’s and Chili’s parent company Brinker International. Even DJ Khaled launched a virtual chicken wing brand called Another Wing last month.
Aside from being comfort food, the fact that chicken wings are great for delivery and feeding groups of people has helped the menu item become more popular among consumers. “It retains its heat. You can buy to feed a family or multiple people, so it’s more communal,” Peter Saleh, a restaurant analyst with BTIG, previously told CNN.
In addition to Crispy Chicken Wings, also arriving on Taco Bell’s menu this coming January is the new Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa. Available in a variety of meat or plant-based protein options, Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa comes with a creamy chipotle sauce.
Also launching at Taco Bell next month are the new Beefy Melt Burrito and Fiesta Veggie Burrito, which are made with a flour tortilla filled with seasoned beef or savory black beans. Both snacks can be paired with the new Island Berry Freeze, which comes in Wild Strawberry or Blue Raspberry, and has a swirl of tropical cream.
Unlike the Crispy Chicken Wings, these four new menu items will be available beginning January 23rd for a limited time, while supplies last.