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McChicken
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The McChicken as sold in the U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nutritional value per 1 sandwich, 5.1 oz (140 g) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 410 kcal (1,700 kJ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
39 g (13%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 5 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dietary fiber | 2 g (8%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
22 g (33%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturated | 4 g (19%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
15 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy from fat | 190 kcal (790 kJ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cholesterol | 45 mg (15%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults.[2] Source: [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The McChicken is a chicken burger sold by the international fast food restaurant McDonald's.[3] It consists of a toasted wheat bun, a breaded patty, shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.
History
[edit]The burger, originally introduced in 1980, proved to be a sales disappointment and was later replaced with the highly successful Chicken McNuggets.[4] However, following the success of McNuggets, the McChicken was reintroduced in 1988. McDonald's again removed the McChicken from its menus in the United States on September 26, 1996,[5] replacing it with the Crispy Chicken Deluxe, which was part of McDonald's ill-fated Deluxe line of burgers. The McChicken was phased back in gradually over the later months of 1997, due to overwhelming letters and petitions.[6] In the United States, the burger's size has shrunk over time to maintain a consistent price point, as it is a longtime staple of the Dollar Menu & More (previously just the Dollar Menu), which offers various food products starting at US$1.00.[7]
The meat of the McChicken was originally a mix of 50% white meat and 50% dark meat.[citation needed] Viewed in April 2015, McDonald's website states that the McChicken contains a blend of dark and white meat chicken.[8]
Variants
[edit]In certain regions and at specific McDonald's franchises, the McChicken is adapted to appeal to the local population's tastes.
Spiced
[edit]When the McChicken was reintroduced to McDonald's menu in mid-to-late 1997 as a smaller burger, it was initially marketed as the Cajun (Style) McChicken. The name was changed back to just McChicken around 2001, alongside the change to a milder, softer chicken patty.[9]
In the south and southwestern parts of the US, the Hot 'n Spicy variant is sold.[10] It originated as a nationwide menu item in January 2006, but by June of that year, McDonald's confirmed it had been discontinued due to slow sales.[11] In March 2013, McDonald's re-introduced the Hot 'n Spicy across the country[12] to what was then called the Dollar Menu. In November 2013, as part of the chain's Dollar Menu & More revamp, the McChicken (and the Hot 'n Spicy) could be ordered as a Buffalo Ranch McChicken, which is a McChicken with Buffalo and Ranch sauce instead of mayonnaise, or a Bacon Buffalo Ranch, which is a Buffalo Ranch McChicken with bacon.[citation needed] As of June 2015, the Hot 'n Spicy is no longer available nationally.
The Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken, a McChicken with jalapeño peppers sauce and a slice of white cheddar cheese, was available in 2011 and 2012.[13]
McDonald's restaurants in Hong Kong, Singapore[14] and India[15] serve a McSpicy variant, with a larger, crispier patty with increased spiciness and flavor. The spicy variant is also available as the Double McSpicy, which consists of two spicy chicken patties.[citation needed]
Outlets in Taiwan serve the Hot n' Spicy variant, which is available on a traditional bread bun or a formed rice bun[citation needed], while locations in Malaysia serve a variant similar to the McSpicy called the Spicy Chicken McDeluxe but with a cornmeal bun.[16]
Teriyaki, cheddar and more
[edit]In Hawaii, the Ala Moana Shopping Center McDonald's sells the McTeriChicken variant, a McChicken with teriyaki ("teri") sauce. "Teri" is heavily used in Hawaii and has been added to various McDonald's burgers, such as the McTeri Burger.[17]
In other US states, there is also another variant of the McChicken burger called the Cheddar Onion McChicken, which is a McChicken with caramelized onions and a slice of white cheddar cheese, both on a toasted bun.[18][19]
In most countries outside of the US (such as India[20]), the McChicken comes on a sesame-seed bun and is not spicy. In Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia (where it originally appeared as a promotional menu item but, due to its popularity, became a full-time menu item) and New Zealand, the McChicken also comes on a sesame-seed bun but with lettuce and a seasoned mayonnaise sauce called "McChicken Sauce".
In the UK, the Junior Chicken is sold as the Mayo Chicken.[21]
In Canada, the low-priced chicken option is called the Junior Chicken,[22] which generally costs C$3.89,[23] but the burger is only lightly spiced.[citation needed] It is referred to as the cousin of the Canadian McChicken,[24] which in turn is more akin to the US' Premium Crispy Chicken burger (though the latter is served on an artisan roll, instead of the sesame seed bun of its Canadian counterpart).
McDonald's restaurants in Spain serve a variant with barbecue sauce rather than mayonnaise.[25]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "McChicken®: Chicken Sandwich". McDonald's. Archived from the original on 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "This Michigan State student tried to eat 100 McChicken sandwiches in 24 hours". Lansing State Journal. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "How the fried chicken sandwich clawed its way to the top of Toronto's fast-food chain". Toronto Life. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ "Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Google News Archive Search". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ^ "Charlotte: Search Results". Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
- ^ "Dollar Menu & More". McDonald's USA. Archived from the original on 2015-06-13. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
- ^ "Our Food, Your Questions: McDonald's Food Facts". Mcdonald's. Archived from the original on 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ^ Oblewski, Aspen (2025-01-21). "McDonald's McChicken Vs McCrispy: What's The Difference?". Chowhound. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ "McChicken Variety: Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken, Cheddar Onion McChicken, Hot 'N Spicy McChicken". Grub Grade. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-06-09. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "McDonald's chickens out". Chicago Tribune. 12 July 2006. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
- ^ "News: McDonald's - New Hot 'n Spicy McChicken on the Dollar Menu". Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
- ^ "Review: McDonald's - Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken". Brand Eating. Archived from the original on 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "McSpicy™". McDonald's Singapore. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "Spicy Press Release" (PDF). McDonald's India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "i'm lovin' it! McDonald's® Malaysia". McDonald's Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
- ^ "Unique McDonald's Food Items in Hawaii". Mr. Cheap Stuff. 4 August 2007. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Review: McDonald's - Cheddar Onion McChicken". Brand Eating. Archived from the original on 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "News: McDonald's Jalapeño Cheddar and Cheddar Onion McChicken in San Diego". Brand Eating. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "What You Can and Can't Get at McDonald's India". Indiamarks. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "Mayo Chicken". McDonald's United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "Junior Chicken". McDonald's Canada. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "McDonald's Menu Prices Canada [2024 January] ❤️". McDonald's Menu Prices. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "What is the difference between a Junior Chicken sandwich and a McChicken?". McDonald's Canada. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
- ^ "Chicken Burger BBQ". McDonald's España. Archived from the original on 2018-02-08. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
External links
[edit]McChicken
View on GrokipediaOverview
Description
The standard McChicken sandwich in the United States features a plain regular bun made from enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, sugar, yeast, soybean oil, salt, and other preservatives, without sesame seeds.[1][4] The core components include this bun, a round breaded and fried chicken patty formed from ground chicken, shredded iceberg lettuce, and a spread of mayonnaise made from soybean oil, egg yolk, water, distilled vinegar, salt, sugar, spice, and lemon juice concentrate.[1][5][6] The chicken patty is prepared by mixing ground chicken with water, salt, and sodium phosphates, then coating it in a batter consisting of bleached wheat flour, water, wheat flour, modified food starch, salt, spices, and leavening agents (such as sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, and monocalcium phosphate); it is breaded with additional wheat flour, yellow corn flour, corn meal, yeast, and vegetable oil (soybean and corn), before being par-fried and fully fried in a blend of canola, corn, soybean, and hydrogenated soybean oils.[6] This results in a crispy, seasoned patty approximately 2.2 ounces (63 grams) before assembly.[7] In assembly, the fried patty is placed on the bottom half of the bun along with the shredded lettuce and mayonnaise, then topped with the upper bun half, with no additional condiments or vegetables in the standard version.[1] The complete sandwich weighs about 144 grams (5.1 ounces) and is served as a single item, marketed as a budget-friendly chicken alternative to beef burgers on the McValue menu.[8][1]Availability
The McChicken has maintained a permanent presence on McDonald's menus in the United States since 1997. It is a staple on the McValue menu, where it is priced at an average of $3.10 as of 2025, though regional variations range from $1.83 to $4.39 depending on location. The sandwich is available at all U.S. McDonald's locations around the clock, except during breakfast hours at select drive-thrus where chicken items are not offered until lunch service begins. Globally, the McChicken is widely available in over 100 countries as part of McDonald's operations in 119 nations, often adapted to local preferences while retaining its core format. In Canada, it is offered as the Junior Chicken variant, a smaller-sized chicken patty sandwich priced at CAN$3.89 and available nationwide. The standard McChicken is a core menu item in the United Kingdom, priced at £4.79 and served with a crispy chicken fillet, lettuce, and mayonnaise on a sesame bun. In India, a non-spicy version featuring a sesame bun is available, distinguishing it from the hotter McSpicy option and catering to diverse spice tolerances. Throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the McChicken uses halal-certified chicken, ensuring compliance with regional dietary standards. Availability varies in European markets, where other chicken sandwiches are also offered. In Australia and Japan, the McChicken is a standard menu item with local variations. Recent expansions have enhanced its accessibility, including the nationwide introduction of the McChicken Biscuit to breakfast menus in U.S. locations starting in 2020, featuring the chicken patty on a buttered biscuit for 420 calories and available during morning hours.[9] Year-round, the McChicken is incorporated into value meals worldwide, such as the $5 Meal Deal in the U.S., which pairs it with small fries, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, and a drink. Pricing for the McChicken typically ranges from $1 to $2 USD equivalent in most international markets, adjusted for local currencies and economies. In the U.S., promotions like "buy one, add one for $1" on the McValue menu effectively lower the cost, making it a key affordable option amid 2025 value initiatives.History
Introduction
The McChicken sandwich was introduced by McDonald's in 1980 as the company's initial foray into poultry-based menu items, featuring a deep-fried chicken patty composed of a 50% white meat and 50% dark meat blend, served on a toasted bun with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.[10] This launch occurred nationwide in the United States as a test of consumer interest in chicken alternatives to the chain's traditional beef hamburgers, amid a broader market shift toward poultry driven by the dominance of competitors like KFC.[2] The product was positioned to capitalize on rising demand for chicken amid elevated beef prices during the late 1970s and early 1980s inflationary period, allowing McDonald's to diversify its menu beyond ground beef patties.[11] Despite these strategic intentions, the McChicken experienced underwhelming initial sales, with low consumer adoption attributed to unfamiliarity with chicken sandwiches from a brand synonymous with hamburgers.[2] By 1983, after failing to meet sales expectations and selling fewer units than anticipated, McDonald's discontinued the item, redirecting focus to the newly launched Chicken McNuggets, which quickly became a blockbuster success and overshadowed the sandwich's modest performance.[2] This early setback highlighted challenges in introducing non-beef proteins to McDonald's core audience during an era when chicken items were still novel in the fast-food landscape.Evolution
Following the success of Chicken McNuggets, McDonald's reintroduced the McChicken in the United States in 1988 as a budget-friendly chicken sandwich option, positioning it as an affordable alternative to beef items amid growing demand for poultry products.[2] This revival featured enhanced marketing efforts to highlight its value appeal, helping it gain traction as a core menu staple.[12] The sandwich became a permanent fixture on U.S. menus following its 1998 reintroduction after multiple iterations, solidifying its role in McDonald's chicken lineup.[2][13] Key reformulations occurred to address cost efficiencies and consumer preferences for healthier options. In the 1990s, the patty size was reduced to lower production expenses while maintaining affordability, a change consistent with broader industry trends toward portion optimization. Following 2015, the McChicken patty transitioned to 100% white meat chicken, aligning with health-conscious trends and elevating its perceived quality over earlier blends of white and dark meat. This update supported McDonald's premium positioning in the chicken segment without altering the core breaded format. The McChicken faced temporary discontinuations in the U.S. during periods of menu streamlining, including in 1996 when it was replaced by the Crispy Chicken Deluxe. Each removal prompted strong customer backlash, leading to quick revivals driven by petitions and demand; for instance, it was reintroduced in 1998 following overwhelming customer feedback.[13] These cycles underscored the item's enduring popularity, particularly as a value leader. Concurrently, starting in the 1990s, the McChicken expanded globally alongside McDonald's international growth, becoming available in markets like Europe, Asia, and Latin America to cater to local preferences for chicken-based fast food.[14] Recent adaptations include the 2023 launch of the McChicken Biscuit as a breakfast option in the U.S., featuring the signature patty on a buttered biscuit to diversify morning menus and tap into rising demand for chicken at all hours.[15] As of 2024, McDonald's has implemented enhanced welfare standards across supply chains in select markets, including requirements for improved housing and reduced antibiotic use to meet environmental and ethical goals.[16] These efforts build on the company's global chicken strategy, emphasizing balanced indicators for animal health, human safety, and sustainability.[17] Sales milestones reflect the McChicken's contribution to McDonald's expanding chicken category, which by 2020 generated significant global volume and helped drive overall poultry sales growth. The broader chicken portfolio, including the McChicken, reached $25 billion in annual systemwide sales by 2024, matching beef revenues and underscoring chicken's faster-growing market share worldwide.[18]Composition
Ingredients
The standard McChicken sandwich in the United States features a breaded chicken patty served on a toasted bun with shredded iceberg lettuce and mayonnaise as toppings.[1] Chicken PattyThe patty is formed from boneless chicken, combined with water, bleached wheat flour, vegetable oil (canola, corn, soybean, and hydrogenated soybean), modified corn starch, salt, spices (including black pepper and paprika), leavening agents (sodium acid pyrophosphate and sodium bicarbonate), dextrose, and natural flavors. The chicken is sourced exclusively from U.S. suppliers committed to raising poultry without antibiotics important to human medicine, a policy implemented by McDonald's since 2015. Ingredients and preparation may vary by location and over time.[1][19] Bun
The regular bun consists of enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, yeast, soybean oil, salt, wheat gluten, calcium propionate (preservative), DATEM (dough conditioner), and enzymes. Non-GMO ingredients are used where applicable in the formulation.[1] Toppings
Shredded iceberg lettuce provides the fresh element, while the mayonnaise is made from soybean oil, egg yolk, water, distilled vinegar, salt, sugar, spice, and lemon juice concentrate.[1] The sandwich contains wheat and egg as major allergens, with potential cross-contact risks for soy and other common allergens due to shared kitchen equipment and facilities.[1]
Preparation
The McChicken patty is produced at centralized facilities operated by suppliers such as Keystone Foods, where chicken is ground and formed into uniform patties before being flash-frozen to preserve freshness and shipped to restaurants.[20][21] At the restaurant level, the frozen patties are breaded on-site with a seasoned coating and then fried in a blend of vegetable oils until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety. The cooked patties are subsequently held in warming cabinets to maintain serving temperature. Assembly begins with the bun being toasted on a clamshell grill to enhance texture and flavor. Mayonnaise is then spread evenly on the crown (top bun), shredded lettuce is portioned onto the heel (bottom bun), the hot chicken patty is placed atop the lettuce, and the buns are combined, completing the sandwich efficiently to support service.[22] Quality controls are integral throughout the process, including automated portioning equipment for consistent patty size and ingredient distribution, as well as daily filtration of the frying oil using specialized equipment that removes particulates to preserve oil quality and extend its usability. In markets where required, such as certain regions in the Middle East, the chicken undergoes halal slaughter and preparation protocols to meet religious standards.[23][24]Nutritional Information
Caloric and Macronutrient Breakdown
The standard McChicken sandwich in the United States contains 390 kcal in a 140 g serving (as of November 2025).[1] Its macronutrient composition consists of 21 g total fat (27% daily value [DV]), including 3.5 g saturated fat; 38 g carbohydrates (14% DV), with 2 g dietary fiber and 5 g sugars; and 14 g protein (28% DV).[1]| Nutrient | Amount per Serving (140 g) | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 390 kcal | - |
| Total Fat | 21 g | 27% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | - |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g | 14% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g | - |
| Sugars | 5 g | - |
| Protein | 14 g | 28% |