Taco Bell Diablo Dusted Chicken Nuggets Copycat Recipe (Spiciest Nuggets Yet)
Crispy chicken nuggets blasted with Taco Bell's hottest Diablo seasoning — these are the spicy nuggets that heat lovers have been begging for.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breast 1.5 lb
- All-purpose flour 1.25 cups
- Cornstarch 0.25 cup
- Buttermilk 1 cup
- Egg 1 piece
- Vegetable oil (for frying) 4 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
- Paprika 1 tbsp
- Cayenne pepper 1 tbsp
- Chili powder 2 tsp
- Garlic powder 2 tsp
- Onion powder 2 tsp
- Ground cumin 1.5 tsp
- Black pepper 1 tsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- MSG (Accent) 0.5 tsp
- Sugar 0.5 tsp
- Crushed red pepper flakes 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
18 g
27%
Protein
19 g
29%
Fat
13 g
44%
Cooking steps
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1
Cut the chicken breast into 1.5-inch nugget pieces. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy finish, just like Taco Bell's signature crunch.
-
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat, and marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to 30 is fine for maximum juiciness).
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3
Combine flour and cornstarch in a large shallow dish. Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere for that trademark crunchy outside.
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4
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (use a thermometer for accuracy; this mimics Taco Bell's fry consistency). Carefully fry chicken nuggets in batches until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes, turning for even browning. Drain on a rack or paper towels.
-
5
While hot, toss the fresh nuggets in the Diablo seasoning mix (combine all seasoningIngredientList items beforehand). For extra Taco Bell heat, sprinkle extra cayenne if needed. Copycat tip: The MSG and sugar balance the fire and give that addictive flavor Taco Bell fans recognize.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like the Taco Bell Diablo Dusted Chicken Nuggets?
Absolutely! This copycat nails Taco Bell's bold, spicy flavor by using a Diablo-style seasoning blend with paprika, cayenne, MSG, and garlic powder. Frying at 350°F ensures the same crispy texture, and tossing with plenty of seasoning right out of the fryer layers the heat just like the Taco Bell original.
Q. What if my chicken nuggets aren't crispy enough?
For maximum crunch, always pat the chicken dry before marinating and after dredging, press the flour-cornstarch breading firmly onto each piece. Fry in oil that's fully preheated to 350°F—if the oil isn't hot enough, your nuggets will be soggy instead of crispy.
Q. Can I substitute or omit MSG in the seasoning?
You can omit MSG if you need to, but it's Taco Bell’s secret for deep umami flavor. If you skip it, increase the salt slightly and expect less of that signature addictive taste. For heat, don’t leave out the cayenne and paprika, which are crucial to the Diablo profile.
Q. How many calories per serving are there and what about protein?
Each serving (95g) contains 260 calories, with 18g carbs (27%), 19g protein (29%), and 13g fat (44%). That’s a good amount of protein for a spicy craving!
Q. How should I store and reheat leftover Diablo Dusted Chicken Nuggets?
Cool nuggets completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in a 400°F oven or air fryer for 6–8 minutes to restore crispiness. Freezing is possible but may sacrifice some crunch.
