Even casual fast-food fans are likely familiar with the Big Mac, McDonald’s signature burger made famous by the jingle describing its ingredients: "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun." Now, in what could be the biggest McDonald's menu launch of 2024, a new twist on this iconic sandwich has finally arrived in the United States.
The Chicken Big Mac officially hit menus at participating McDonald's locations nationwide on October 10 for a limited time. This version swaps the traditional beef patties for tempura-battered chicken patties. After a brief test run at select Miami locations in 2022 and limited-time appearances in the United Kingdom and Canada, this marks the first time the Chicken Big Mac is available nationwide in the U.S.
“With the introduction of the Chicken Big Mac, we’re excited to pay tribute to one of our most iconic menu items, the Big Mac, while offering a fresh twist for a new generation of fans,” said Tariq Hassan, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s USA, in the launch announcement earlier this month.
Given how rare the Chicken Big Mac has been in the U.S. and its popularity overseas, I was eager to see if the sandwich lived up to the hype and how it compared to the classic beef version. So, as soon as it hit menus this week, I grabbed one to give it a try. Here’s what I discovered.
Nutrition (Per Sandwich):
- Calories: 700
- Fat: 37 g (Saturated Fat: 8 g)
- Sodium: 1,410 mg
- Carbs: 61 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 7 g)
- Protein: 25 g
The highly anticipated double-decker Chicken Big Mac cost me $5.79 at a McDonald's in Des Plaines, Ill.
The Look:
The sandwich was neatly assembled and surprisingly close to the promotional photos. The cheese was perfectly melty, and the bun was shiny without being soggy. The lettuce looked fresh and vibrant, and the tempura-battered chicken patties were golden brown, giving me hope for a crispy bite. Overall, the Chicken Big Mac was visually appealing and tempting.
The Taste:
I had some major complaints with the classic Big Mac during a previous taste test—dry beef patties and an overload of special sauce were the biggest issues. After that experience, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Chicken Big Mac.
The sandwich features nearly all the familiar flavors of the original Big Mac: tangy pickles, savory cheese, crisp lettuce, and the signature Big Mac sauce. However, I enjoyed this version much more. The chicken patties brought a delightful, subtle crunch that you just don’t get with the original beef version. The tempura batter was thicker than the usual McCrispy breading, adding an extra layer of texture. I’ve never found McDonald's beef patties to be particularly juicy or flavorful, so I didn’t miss them in this chicken alternative.
Additionally, I have to give credit to the McDonald’s in suburban Chicago where I purchased my Chicken Big Mac. The chicken patties were perfectly crispy, and the amount of Big Mac sauce was just right. Too much sauce can overwhelm the sandwich and make it messy, but that wasn’t an issue here.
Overall, this might be one of my favorite limited-time McDonald's items ever. If you’re a Big Mac fan, I highly recommend trying it while it’s available. You might even prefer it over the original, as I did!