Taco Bell Naked Chicken Chalupa: When And Where To Buy New Menu Item With Fried Chicken Shell

Taco Bell has brought the masses inventive recipes like the Doritos Locos Tacos and the Beefy Crunch Burrito with Flamin’ Hot Fritos. Now, the fast food giant has announced a release date for a new highly anticipated new menu item.

The Naked Chicken Chalupa, a Chalupa wrapped in a crispy, fried chicken "shell," will make its debut nationwide Jan. 26, according to an announcement made by Taco Bell Wednesday.

“We feel confident that once our fans get a taste of the Naked Chicken Chalupa they are going to understand exactly why this is our next big, fun and craveable innovation, following in the footsteps of the Doritos Locos Tacos five years ago and the Quesalupa just last year,” Marisa Thalberg, Taco Bell Corp.'s chief marketing officer, said in a Wednesday news release.

Here's how it works: All-white, antibiotics-free chicken is seasoned with Mexican spices and fried in the shape of a Taco Bell Chalupa shell. The meal item will also include lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and avocado ranch sauce. It will cost $2.99 on its own or come as part of a box deal for $5.

Taco Bell has been testing out the new dish for about two years in Bakersfield, California, and Kansas City, Missouri, causing at least one food writer to excitedly demand readers "LOOK AT THIS THING." But the new taco isn't the only thing Taco Bell has planned for the year ahead.

After recently opening the first Yum China / Taco Bell restaurant in China, the Mexican fast food chain also announced its intentions to have a healthier 2017. In a news release, the company revealed that it would be doing away with its extra-large cup sizes, antibiotics-laden chicken and use of not-cage-free eggs.

A Harris Poll from June named Taco Bell the second most popular fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand. Moe's Southwest Grill came in first place, and Qdoba Mexican Grill was No. 3.