Taco Bell’s New Crispy Chicken Strips, Tacos and Burritos, Reviewed by a Food Editor

Before tasting the handhelds, I wanted to try the chicken strips on their own. Considering how impressed I was with the chicken nuggets, which are marinated in the same zingy, slightly spicy jalapeño buttermilk and coated in the same tortilla chip-breadcrumb breading, I was excited to taste them. Starting at $4 for two, the strips are thick, juicy, crunchy with visible tortilla chip crumbs in the breading (although the ratio is meatier than the nuggets) and well-seasoned without being too salty. They’re more zesty than spicy, and very hefty.

I’d suggest dunking them in one of two new sauces, Spicy Ranchero—a creamy, tomato-jalapeño sauce with a kick—or Avocado Ranch—a zesty, herby condiment for the spice-averse. (FYI, you can order a side of either sauce for 60 cents or add it to any menu item for 30 cents.) If you don’t customize, they’ll come with Spicy Ranch for dipping, which I praised for its citrusy, herby, tart flavor and modest heat in my ranking of Taco Bell dips and sauces.