I Thought Taco Bell Had No Business Selling Chicken Nuggets—Until I Tried Them

Admittedly, I half-expected the Bell's nuggets to be the standard, pressed-meat patty, maybe with a little Nacho Fry seasoning thrown on for good measure. Thankfully, that is not the case. These nuggets are all white meat—actual chunks of chicken, not ground—with a thick, crunchy breading made out of tortilla chips. (Note: The breading includes flour, so they're not gluten-free.) Each piece of chicken is marinated in jalapeño buttermilk, giving them a slight zesty kick. They're not spicy per se, though small children may find it so. (At least, my plain-cheeseburger-loving crew would.)

1. Jalapeño Honey Mustard — Normally, I skip honey mustard, but this dip made me wonder if a little jalapeño was what the condiment was missing all along? It adds a tiny bit of heat, but really, there's more of a vegetal flavor, which balances out the sweet and tangy notes.
2. Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce — Call up Taylor Swift: I've found her new "seemingly ranch" alternative. There's a slow-building heat to this that sneaks up on you, but it's never overwhelming (after all, it's not called Diablo Ranch).
3. Bell Sauce — Tomatoes, red chiles and garlic are the main ingredients in this signature sauce. It reminded me a bit of the tangy flavors of Zaxby's sauce, but it isn't as ketchup-y. It's tangy and a little peppery, like a creamier, thicker red enchilada sauce.

Yes, though I wish they could be chopped up and added to burritos and tacos (take note, secret menu fans). I'd probably order them as a side for my family to snack on—they're available as a 5-piece order (with one dipping sauce) for $4, or 10 pieces (and two sauces) for $7. When I'm having Taco Bell, I can't not order a burrito. I just can't.

While the nuggets can be ordered in 5-piece and 10-piece packs, as mentioned, you'll also be able to pair them with Nacho Fries, nacho cheese sauce and a large drink, as a combo (for about $6 to $9). Or you can order a Deluxe Meal, snagging 5-piece nuggets, a dipping sauce, a crunchy taco, beef Chalupa, regular Nacho Fries and a medium drink for $10.50. They're only available for a limited time, so you may want to make a plan to hit up your local drive-thru first thing on the 19th. Consider it an early Christmas present to your stomach.