The McChicken contains 400 calories. It’s a classic McDonald’s menu item made with juicy chicken fillet, shredded lettuce, creamy mayo and toasted bun. But there’s more to the McChicken than meets the eye.
In fact, I could fill up an entire article talking about this beloved McDonald’s sandwich and I’m going to do just that. You’ll definitely learn more than just the calorie content of the McChicken in this post.
McChicken History
McDonald’s first introduced the McChicken in 1980. I don’t recall having tried the McChicken as a kid so I can’t say for certain if the rumor was true – that it tasted awful at the time. But what I do know is that it didn’t perform as well as expected and was quickly replaced with the Chicken McNuggets.
By some stroke of luck, the McChicken made its way back onto the McDonald’s menu in 1988 and over the next decade it was removed and re-introduced several times.
During the pandemic, the McChicken fell off the menu and now it’s back again. In 2021, McDonald’s released a new entry into the fast-food chicken sandwich wars: the McCrispy, which they say tastes exactly like Chick-fil-A’s sandwich. It comes in three versions: original, spicy, and deluxe.
The McChicken sandwich recipe has evolved to be slightly spicier compared to the original version. In the United States, the sandwich has also been reduced in size and is now part of the Dollar Menu, which features items priced at $1.00. The price of the McChicken in the McDonald’s near me is $2, however. Originally, the chicken patty used was a blend of 50% white meat and 50% dark meat. However, since late 2006, McDonald’s has stated that McChicken now contains only 100% white meat.
McChicken Variants
In various McDonald’s locations in the US and around the world, the McChicken is customized to suit local tastes.
In the southern and southwestern US, you’ll find the Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken, while in Hawaii, the Ala Moana Shopping Center McDonald’s offers the McTeriChicken, a McChicken with teriyaki sauce.
Other variants in some states include the Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken and the Cheddar Onion McChicken, with caramelized onions and white cheddar cheese.
In many countries outside the US, such as India, the McChicken is served on a sesame-seed bun and is not spicy. In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the McChicken comes with lettuce and “McChicken Sauce” on a sesame-seed bun and is lightly spiced.
In Canada and UK, the McChicken name is used for larger chicken sandwiches than the US version. The US-style McChicken is known as the Junior Chicken in Canada.
In Singapore and India, McDonald’s serves the McSpicy variant. The Double McSpicy, with two spicy patties, is also available.
In Taiwan, the Spicy McChicken is offered with a choice of a traditional bread bun or a formed rice bun.
In Spain, McDonald’s serves a version of the McChicken with barbecue sauce instead of mayonnaise.
In Malaysia, a similar variant to the McSpicy is called the “Spicy Chicken McDeluxe,” served with a cornmeal bun.
In Germany and Uganda, the “McChicken Classic” is served on a submarine bun (like the McRib) with a longer patty to fit the bun.
What’s the difference between McDonald’s McChicken and Crispy Chicken Sandwich?
The main differences between the McChicken and McCrispy are on the fillets, buns, toppings and price. The McChicken sandwich is made from a thinner chicken patty that is fried, topped with shredded lettuce and mayo and sandwiched in between toasted bun. The Crispy Chicken Sandwich, on the other hand, is made from breaded and thicket chicken breast, served on a buttered potato roll and comes with pickles. It has mayo, sliced Roma tomatoes and shredded lettuce. The McChicken is cheaper than the McCrispy.
How Much is a McChicken at McDonald’s?
The price of the McChicken sandwich varies by location. Here in Houston, the price ranges from $1.99 to $2.79. In other areas it can go as low as $1.50 to as high as $4.50.
What are the chicken sandwiches available at McDonald’s?
If you look at the McDonald’s US menu, you’ll find a handful of chicken sandwiches available including: McChicken, McCrispy, Deluxe McCrispy, Spicy McCrispy and Spicy Deluxe McCrispy.
Customer Reviews for the McDonald’s McChicken Sandwich
Mq9dgt
McDonald’s does one thing right – delivering familiar food quickly and consistently for a decent price. They aren’t the best, they aren’t the worse, but they are very consistent. My favorite sandwich they have is the McDouble or McChicken.
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Darell S.
It is ok.. I ate here more than a couple times for the past 3 months. For me it’s like a 8 minute walk. Not fat or anything 1) The service is quick and the people inside the building were friendly some I’ve seen in Highschool. 2) Food quality is ok I’m hungry when i go here so idrc. 3) Its a bit overpriced like the large fries it isn’t that much and i payed over 4 dollars. I do remember ordering 6 burritos and a McChicken and quarter pounder with cheese. To my surprise i spent less than 20 dollars. Reasonable price i ordered a lot one time and i only spent 15 dollars. Pretty alright place I heard that the drive-thru is bad but idk never attempted to drive there.
Julie H.
We actually got everything we ordered. But the chicken sandwiches were missing pickles, but did have the mayonnaise we asked for. The fish sandwich was made wrong with a toasted bun and a full slice of cheese.But the fries were hot. Don’t you just love a person who use to be a manager for McDonald’s knows how you supposed to serve your food. Your employees were very nice.
Lloyd C.
Quick, easy, and affordable.
My Wife had a free McChicken Sandwich rewards and decided to use it today. Crunchy, peppery, and delicious.
Foodpoet
It’s one of those foods, you know what you are getting, a quick cheap sandwich at Mcdonalds drive thru. Never had a bad one, I like them, have to rate it above average, good flavor and textture, and a quick go-to when on the go for a quick bite.
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Calories in a McChicken Summary
The McChicken sandwich contains 400 calories. If you are getting the McChicken Meal with fries and drinks, the calories range from 800 to 1,087 calories depending on the size of the fries and drink.