McDonald’s recently announced the release of the Chicken Big Mac, sending fast food fans into a frenzy. This new menu item puts a unique twist on their iconic Big Mac burger by replacing the beef patties with crispy chicken. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Chicken Big Mac, including its ingredients, price, availability, and how it tastes.
A Brief History of the Chicken Big Mac
The original Big Mac was first introduced by McDonald’s back in 1968 and has been a signature menu item ever since. This double-decker burger features two 100% beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.
While the Big Mac has always been a beef burger, McDonald’s has experimented with a chicken version internationally over the years. The Chicken Big Mac was tested in select locations in the US back in 2022 before being launched globally It was met with high demand, often selling out completely within days of release.
Now in 2024, the Chicken Big Mac is finally being launched nationwide in the US for a limited time McDonald’s knows their fans have been eagerly anticipating its arrival, so they are launching it with much fanfare and hype
What’s in a Chicken Big Mac?
The Chicken Big Mac features most of the classic Big Mac ingredients but swaps the beef for crispy chicken patties. Here are all the components:
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Two tempura battered, fried chicken patties instead of beef patties
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Triple-decker bun with three slices – top, bottom, and club bun in the middle
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McDonald’s signature Big Mac sauce
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Shredded lettuce
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Sliced dill pickles
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Sliced American cheese
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Sesame seed bun
So it has that familiar Big Mac taste, but with some added crunch and new flavors from the crispy fried chicken and customary McDonald’s seasoning.
How Does the Chicken Big Mac Taste?
Reviews of the Chicken Big Mac from food critics and McDonald’s fans have been generally positive. Most agree that it largely lives up to the hype.
The crispy fried chicken provides a satisfying crunch that the beef patties lack. The flavor of the chicken goes well with the tangy Big Mac sauce, though some reviewers say the chicken could use a bit more seasoning.
The soft, pillowy sesame bun contrasts nicely with the crunchy chicken. Melty American cheese and vinegar from the pickles also complement the chicken.
Some say it tastes very similar to a traditional Big Mac, while others think the chicken makes it taste entirely different. Either way, most agree it’s a unique and delicious twist on a classic.
When and Where Can I Get a Chicken Big Mac?
The Chicken Big Mac will be available for a limited time only, starting on October 10, 2024 at participating McDonald’s locations nationwide.
It will only be available during normal menu hours, not for breakfast or after midnight. Supplies will be limited as this is a temporary offering. McDonald’s has not given an end date for the promotion yet.
The Chicken Big Mac will be available both as a standalone sandwich or as part of a meal combo. Pricing is similar to a regular Big Mac, around $4.50 – $6.50 depending on location.
Be sure to get one soon if you want to try it, as the Chicken Big Mac will likely only be around for a few weeks until sold out. McDonald’s is generating hype by intentionally limiting supply, so get it before it’s gone!
Why the Chicken Big Mac is Generating So Much Hype
The Chicken Big Mac is one of McDonald’s most anticipated new menu items in years, for several reasons:
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Novelty – It’s exciting and different, putting a new spin on an iconic sandwich
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International popularity – It has already proven successful in other countries, with high sales and sold-out supplies
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Limited availability – The limited-time offering generates urgency and buzz
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Chicken craze – Chicken is trendy and in high demand from fast food fans
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Brand nostalgia – It capitalizes on nostalgia and love for McDonald’s classic menu
McDonald’s has been strategic and secretive in their rollout, first “leaking” news then launching a fake McDonald’s pop-up restaurant to generate intrigue. The phased launch has worked, as frenzied customers now eagerly await the Chicken Big Mac.
Is the Chicken Big Mac Worth the Hype?
For most fast food aficionados, the answer seems to be a resounding yes! The Chicken Big Mac delivers the nostalgic flavors of McDonald’s signature burger in a fun, new form with some added crunch and flavor from the crispy chicken.
It likely won’t dethrone the classic beef Big Mac long-term, but it offers an exciting temporary change up. McDonald’s has succeeded in providing a unique taste of an icon that will delight fans across generations.
The Chicken Big Mac brings some innovative fast food flair to their menu. It celebrates the original while giving customers the flexibility to switch between beef or chicken based on their cravings.
If you’re a Big Mac lover or just enjoy testing new fast food offerings, it’s certainly worth venturing to McDonald’s this month to get a Chicken Big Mac before they’re gone! It’s shaping up to be one of the hottest menu items of the year.
What is the nutritional info for the McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac?
Zero. Its a McMiracle! OK, but in real life, the McDonalds Chicken Big Mac clocks in at 530 calories according to McDonalds website, and 700 calories according to my Los Angeles McDonalds in-store kiosk. (Im not sure how L.A. got that number.) But, going by the highly publicized count of 530 calories, the Chicken Big Mac lands just under the original Big Macs heftier 590 calories (and way under the 1,340-calorie Big Breakfast with Hotcakes).
Dishing up 20 grams of fat, 61 grams of carbs, and 8.5 grams of sugar, the McDonalds Chicken Big Mac also slides in a cool 25 grams of protein to power your day. But if any of these numbers are not to your liking, McDonalds offers customizations on just about anything on its menu — and all you have to do is ask. Want to slim down on the carbs? Remove the middle bun (or the whole bun). Want a little less Big Mac sauce? The world is your oyster. You can even add a little more flavor with extra cheese, pickle chips, lettuce — even chicken, or extra buns — all with the press of a button.
What does the McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac taste like?
I ordered my McDonalds Chicken Big Mac at 1:02 p.m. and had it hot in my hands by 1:08 p.m. (Is that fast? Does that length of time mean its fresh? I have no idea.) Its been a minute since I sat down inside an actual McDonalds restaurant, but I plugged in my order at the kiosk (a new addition to this McDonalds) and waited for my extremely hyped chicken sandwich date to arrive.
“Do you want any extra sauce?” asked the staffer who appeared with my order. I looked into her bin of tangy BBQ, sweet n sour, and ranch, wondering if they would throw off the Big Mac vibe. “The Chicken Big Mac comes with Big Mac sauce, lettuce, pickles, and cheddar cheese,” she added as guidance. Sensing ready-to-launch-ness, I stuck with the status quo and cracked open the clamshell box. It had all that stuff on it, plus two tempura-battered chicken patties, and 1 ½ sesame seed buns (yknow, because bottom, top, and middle).
My first bite was like a warm, saucy, chewy hug. I loved the crunch of the lightly toasted bun, and the crispy-battered chicken playing off the velvety melted cheddar, robust lettuce, and vinegary dill pickles. The Thousand Island-like Big Mac sauce feels iconic, if not a little bland. And the chicken needs salt. But where the Chicken Big Mac lacks in noteworthy seasoning, it makes up for in fast food comfort with all the McFeels.
I tried the Chicken Big Mac! #memes
FAQ
What makes a Chicken Big Mac?
The chicken changeup to the Big Mac consists of — sticking to the original jingle — t wo fried-chicken patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
What’s the difference between a Big Mac and a Chicken Big Mac?
The chicken Big Mac subs in two “tempura battered chicken patties” in place of the usual two beef burger patties. The battered patties are crispy fried rounds of chicken, seasonings, and salt, breaded with white flour, corn flour, corn starch, wheat starch, salt, and a handful of other ingredients.
What’s up with the Chicken Big Mac?
The Chicken Big Mac is similar to its beefy sibling; however, it replaces the two burgers with two tempura chicken patties. It also includes the signature Big Mac sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce and a slice of American cheese.
Is Chicken Big Mac just McChicken patties?
No body asked for it, but here’s my opinion. Enjoy McDonald’s dropped the new chicken Big Mac today. It is essentially a Big Mac, but the beef is swapped out for two tempora fried chicken patties. The chicken patties are cooked the same way that the chicken nuggets are.