Taco Bell turns up the heat with Mike’s hot honey diablo sauce for crispy chicken nuggets

This summer, Taco Bell is turning up the heat with a bold new collaboration: Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce. Launching nationwide on May 22, this fiery new dip blends the smoky kick of Taco Bell’s Diablo Sauce with the spicy sweetness of the cult-favorite hot honey, delivering an unforgettable flavor boost to their already popular Crispy Chicken Nuggets.

A fiery fusion: Sweet meets smoky heat

Taco Bell is no stranger to pushing flavor boundaries, and its latest creation is a testament to that adventurous spirit. The fast-food chain announced on May 22 the launch of Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce, a collaboration that perfectly balances sweet and spicy in a bold new dip.

Combining the smoky depth of Taco Bell’s iconic Diablo Sauce with the addictive sweet heat of Mike’s Hot Honey, this sauce promises to elevate the humble chicken nugget to new heights. Since debuting its Crispy Chicken Nuggets in April, Taco Bell has seen fans fall head over heels for the crunchy, savory bites. Now, with the addition of Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce, customers can experience a new dimension of flavor that’s both fiery and sweet.

The new sauce will be available for a limited time at participating Taco Bell locations nationwide, starting May 22. Customers can order it as a dip alongside their favorite 5- or 10-piece nugget meals or snag a side of the sauce for just $0.25. But beware—supplies are limited, so fans are encouraged to grab the sauce while they can.

Innovation and passion behind the collaboration

For Taco Bell’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, Liz Matthews, the launch of Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce represents more than just another condiment—it’s about redefining how people enjoy chicken nuggets. “We didn’t just drop a new sauce — we unlocked a whole new way to experience nuggets,” Matthews said. She emphasized that the partnership with Mike’s Hot Honey was about “pushing boundaries” and introducing a flavor combo that fans have never tasted before.

Mike Kurtz, founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, echoed that sentiment, sharing that teaming up with Taco Bell was a “spicy dream come true.” He explained, “Blending hot honey with Diablo Sauce created something totally new and unforgettable.” For Kurtz, who built his brand on the distinctive sweet heat of hot honey, this partnership allowed him to reimagine what his signature product could do when paired with bold smoky heat.

This collaboration taps into the current popularity of hot honey, a trend that has captured the hearts of foodies and casual eaters alike. Taco Bell is leaning into that trend while adding its unique spin, creating a sauce that’s as exciting as it is delicious.

Beyond the sauce: Style, sustainability, and what’s next for Taco Bell

The excitement around Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce doesn’t stop at flavor. Taco Bell is also celebrating the launch with a limited-edition Mike’s Hot Honey Jacket—an exclusive item for the chain’s most loyal fans. The jacket will be available only through the Taco Bell app starting May 27 at 2 p.m. PST/5 p.m. EST, and limited to the first 500 Rewards Members who claim it. This branded jacket offers a stylish way for fans to showcase their love for the hot new sauce and the brand’s innovative spirit.

In addition to exciting new flavors and merch, Taco Bell is making sustainability a priority. Through a partnership with TerraCycle, used dipping cups can be mailed in and recycled, giving eco-conscious consumers a way to enjoy their favorite sauces responsibly.

This launch is part of a broader chicken-focused campaign at Taco Bell, which includes testing new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos in Charlotte, North Carolina. The brand is gearing up for a permanent chicken menu expansion in 2026, signaling a major shift toward crispy chicken offerings in the future.

For fans of bold, sweet, and spicy flavors, Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce offers an irresistible new way to dip, savor, and celebrate the summer.