Chicken is hitting it big at McDonald’s.
On Oct. 3, McDonald’s announced it is bringing the Chicken Big Mac to the U.S. — but only for a limited time.
The poultry-packed twist on the chain’s most iconic sandwich has appeared on menus around the world, including a brief sting in the U.K. and Ireland in 2022, but starting Oct. 10, Americans can finally taste it at participating locations, while supplies last.
The Chicken Big Mac features two tempura-battered chicken patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles and, of course, Big Mac sauce, on a sesame seed bun.
In recent earnings calls, McDonald’s has been open about its pivot to poultry, which is typically cheaper than beef.
Ahead of the big news, McDonald’s — which has been known to have a little fun with bizarro versions of itself — opened “McDonnell’s” in Los Angeles on Sept. 28. The pop-up, run by concept restaurant Chain (and McDonald’s in secret), was open to fans for a single day and served the new item, calling it “The Chicken Sandwich.”
And in 2022, McDonald’s gave the Chicken Big Mac a brief test run in some of its Miami restaurants. Needless to say, it went well.
One TikToker was able to try the Chicken Big Mac a day ahead of its nationwide launch:
“This is fire, y’all,” TikToker @munchwithde says in an Oct. 2 video. “If this was the McCrispy chicken, y’all, oh my goodness, but it’s good for what it is. I haven’t had McDonald’s in months, y’all, and this is hitting right now.”
As fast-food chains battle to win back cash-strapped diners, McDonald’s decided to extend its $5 meal deal, which originally launched in May, until December.
