Taco Bell Naked Chicken Chalupa: How To Make The Fast Food Recipe At Home

Taco Bell is renowned for its inventive hybrid special menu items, from its Quesalupa to the caloric-overhaul that was the Doritos Locos Taco.

The Mexican fast food chain will continue to wander down its path of special menu items and plans to release its new Naked Chicken Chalupa across the nation Jan. 26. The new chalupa, which eschews the traditional fried tortilla wrap for a fried white-meat chicken breast, was first introduced in Bakersfield, California, and Kansas City, Missouri ,a couple years ago. Following an announcement from Taco Bell on Jan. 10, fans can now expect the item’s nation-sweeping arrival later this month.

The chalupa is expected to include veggies, cheese and an avocado ranch dressing, sandwiched between a fried chicken shell. While special secret ingredients are surely required to attempt to reproduce the meal, it's a recipe that can be made at home – with the proper tools, that is.

In the wake of the Naked Chicken Chalupa's imminent and intrepid release, here are additional Taco Bell menu mainstays that can be tried making at home prior to the debut.

1. The Crunchwrap Supreme: Pop Sugar published a very handy how-to video on how to assemble your very own Crunchwrap Supreme. The melted, crunchy snack calls for standard burrito ingredients as well as flour tortillas, tostada shells and nacho cheese.

2. Bacon A.M. Crunchwarp: Try this take on the restaurant chain’s signature breakfast menu item. Cheat Sheet published a recipe that calls for bacon, pre-made frozen hash brown patties, eggs, tortillas, ranch dressing and cheese.

3. The DIY Naked Chicken Chalupa: Can’t wait for the unrivaled Naked Chicken Chalupa? Attempt your own. Take a pack of ground chicken, mix is with some spicy Mexican seasoning, then pat flat like a pancake. Cover the chicken cake in breading (the HelathyJunkFood YouTube video how-to suggests flour, chili powder, salt, pepper and cayenne), then cover both sides in egg batter. The video published also suggested chopping up hot Cheetos or chips and then covering the battered chicken before frying. However, feel free to shape the breaded and battered chicken into a shell shape and then drop into a fryer of oil.

Finally, layer in the diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce and the creamy avocado ranch sauce (for the sauce, mash an avocado and mix with any ranch dressing. Add a little lime for zest, if so desire). Although the chicken accounts for the meat of the dish, there’s definitely room to add seasoned beef for filling. Taco Bell would surely be proud of the innovation.