Everything you need to know about the McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) has launched the Chicken Big Mac, which is the restaurant giant’s new twist on its iconic Big Mac. The menu item is only available for a limited time, although it could be extended by the Chicago-based fast-food company.

The sandwich replaces the traditional beef patties with two tempura-battered chicken patties, while retaining the classic toppings: Big Mac sauce, cheese, lettuce, and pickles, but without onions. The Chicken Big Mac has already been tested in international markets and was previously trialed in Miami in 2022. Priced around $5.49 in most markets, it aims to attract both loyal fans and newcomers, reigniting interest amid the ongoing chicken sandwich wars. “Featuring the same familiar toppings as the Big Mac but with two tempura battered chicken patties, in place of the two all-beef patties, this unique taste gives fans what they crave and leaves them wanting more,” updated McDonald’s on the sandwich debut.

McDonald’s (MCD) website indicates that the Chicken Big Mac has 530 calories, 20 grams of fat, 25 grams of protein, 61 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.2 grams of salt. The restaurant chain is using social media influencers to try to generate buzz.

So far, reviews of the Chicken Big Mac have been very mixed, ranging from McDonald’s (MCD) “best sandwich” in years to “very bland.” The latest attempt to rattle the chicken sandwich market follows similar initiatives in recent years from Popeyes (QSR), Burger King (QSR), Wendy’s (WEN), Boston Market, Taco Bell (YUM), BurgerFi (OTC:BFICQ), Fatburger, Sonic, and Shake Shack (SHAK). Chick-fil-A is still widely considered the restaurant industry leader in chicken sandwich popularity.

Shares of McDonald’s (MCD) were up 0.9% in Monday morning trading and carved out a new 52-week high of $307.90 earlier in the session.