Taco Bell's Fried Chicken Taco Shell Looks Delicious

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) has been testing a new shell for its tacos since September of last year.

The shell, titled "Naked Crispy Chicken Taco" is seen as a response to KFC's sandwich, the Double Down, replacing a bun with fried chicken filets.

Taco Bell tested its new shell in a Bakersfield, California and then moved on to Kansas City. However, the company told BuzzFeed News that the taco shell, now renamed "Naked Chicken Chalupa" may one day be available for a national launch.

"The results and consumer feedback are very encouraging," a Taco Bell spokesperson told BuzzFeed.

BuzzFeed noted that the shells arrive at a Taco Bell restaurant already seasoned and breaded. All that is needed is to deep fry the shell and then it is good to go.

The shell is the genius creation of Heather Mottershaw, Taco Bell's Senior Director of Innovation. She is also credited with creating the Waffle Taco.

Steve Gomez, Taco Bell's manager of product development also referred to the new shell as "a passion project" which was initially "borderline annoying."

"When you explain it to someone they create a visualization in their mind, but it you put it in front of someone and say, ‘Try it,' then it's like, ‘Okay, I get it,'" Gomez said.

Gomez also said that consumers associated a deep fried chicken cutlet with being "healthy." He noted that it "really surprised us because it's fried chicken."

Image credit: Mike Mozart, Flick