new York
CNN
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Taco Bell is deviating – slightly – from its Mexican-inspired cuisine and going all-American in its latest offering.

Starting Thursday, the chain is adding chicken nuggets to its menu for a limited time. However, Taco Bell puts its own twist on the fast food staple by marinating the all-white meat in a zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor and then coating it with tortilla chips and breadcrumbs, resulting in a flavorful alternative.

Taco Bell said in a press release that it was entering a category “where loyalty to chicken nuggets is deeply rooted,” dominated primarily by McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Chick-Fil-A. But it’s part of Taco Bell’s plan to expand its poultry portfolio as younger eaters overwhelmingly prefer it to red meat.

Former Taco Bell CEO Mark King said at Yum Brand’s investor day last year that “a big part of our business is beef, and the Gen Z consumer wants chicken.” In response, the chain launched a “Cantina Chicken” in March Menu,” which uses oven-roasted, shredded chicken in a variety of dishes like tacos and salads.

This addition helped boost Taco Bell’s sales at locations open at least a year by 5% during the quarter in which the new menu was introduced, with about one in four orders containing an item from the ” Chicken Cantina Menu” included.

New dips and sauces that attract adventurous Gen Z eaters will also be added to the menu. The three new dips are made specifically for chicken and include the chain’s new spicy signature Dip Bell sauce; a jalapeño-infused honey mustard sauce; and a new spicy ranch sauce made in collaboration with Hidden Valley.

Prices vary depending on the city. Taco Bell recommends a retail price of $3.99 for five nuggets with one sauce and $6.99 for 10 nuggets with two sauces. Plus, a $10.49 meal includes five nuggets, a sauce, a crispy taco, a beef chalupa, nacho fries and a medium soda.

The last time Taco Bell served anything remotely resembling chicken nuggets was back in 2017, when the Naked Chicken Chips were also a limited-time offer.