For all the pomp surrounding fast food “plant-based” burgers and breakfast sandwiches, you might not think that McDonalds next move would be to release not one, but three, new chicken sandwiches.
Yet theyve done so today, and, to say the least, McDonalds is HYPED. A press release says they’ve been working on their new project for “years.” They even worked with record producer Tay Keith to make a capsule collection that includes the limited-edition McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich hoodie and the exclusive audio track (on 7″ vinyl!) that everyone has been begging for.
Its as if McDs, with its trio of new sandwiches, has chosen a weapon each in the fight against the big guns of the fried chicken sandwich game: Wendys, Popeyes, Chick-fil-A.
KFC and Taco Bell are also players, and many of these companies are now feuding with each other on Twitter because this is 2021, nearly a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, and we all need something to distract us from the lonely hellscape of our deep, largely unacknowledged, collective depressive state.
I taste-tested each of McDonalds three new chicken sandwiches today—the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and the regally named Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich—and also pulled together what, exactly, is inside each one.
That includes the nutrition information and the ingredients, just in case these are things that matter to you. (As Men’s Health’s food and nutrition editor, I have to tell you that these things should matter to you.) ).
Forever late to the exclusive fast-food capsule release party, I cannot, however, give you a review of that 7″.
For a quick meal or snack, McDonald’s chicken sandwiches are easy to get and taste great. But if you’re trying to watch how many calories you eat, you might be curious about how many calories are in their chicken sandwiches. This detailed guide will show you how many calories are in each McDonald’s chicken sandwich and give you some tips on how to lower the number of calories.
An Overview of Chicken Sandwiches at McDonald’s
McDonald’s offers several chicken sandwich options on their menu. Here’s a quick rundown of the main choices:
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McChicken – This is their classic chicken sandwich with a crispy chicken patty, shredded lettuce and mayo on a bun. It contains 390 calories.
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Spicy McChicken: This is the spicy version of the McChicken. The chicken patty is filled with spicy spices. It has 400 calories.
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McChicken Deluxe – An upgraded version with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. It has 510 calories.
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Classic Chicken Sandwich: A crispy chicken fillet made with buttermilk and pickles, pickles signature sauce, and a regular bun. There are 510 calories in this sandwich.
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Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Uses a grilled chicken breast fillet instead of a fried patty. At 350 calories, this is one of the lower calorie options.
So as you can see, calorie counts range from 350 to 510 calories, depending on the sandwich. The grilled chicken versions tend to be the lowest in calories.
Factors That Impact the Calorie Count
There are a few factors that affect the calorie count for chicken sandwiches at McDonald’s:
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Breading/Cooking Method – Fried, breaded chicken patties contain more calories than grilled chicken fillets. The extra oil adds more fat and calories.
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Condiments – Mayo and other sauces can quickly drive up the calorie count. Opting for sauces on the side lets you control how much you use.
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Roll or sesame seed bun: Some sandwiches come on plain rolls or sesame seed buns, which may have a few more calories.
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Included toppings – Things like cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pickles will impact the calories too. More toppings mean more calories.
So when comparing two sandwiches, the differences in ingredients and preparation are what leads to calorie variations.
Estimated Calorie Counts for Popular Chicken Sandwiches
Based on McDonald’s nutrition information, here are the approximate calorie counts* for some of their most popular chicken sandwiches:
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McChicken – 390 calories
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Spicy McChicken – 400 calories
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Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich – 460 calories
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McChicken Deluxe – 510 calories
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Classic Chicken Sandwich – 510 calories
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Bacon Clubhouse Chicken Sandwich – 530 calories
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Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – 350 calories
*Results can vary slightly depending on the specific restaurant location and preparation.
As you can see, grilled chicken sandwiches generally have the least calories, while deluxe sandwiches tend to be higher in calories.
Tips for Ordering a Lower Calorie Chicken Sandwich
Here are some suggestions for putting together a chicken sandwich order with fewer calories:
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Opt for grilled chicken instead of crispy or fried chicken.
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Skip the mayo and other creamy sauces. Get sauces and dressings on the side so you control how much you use.
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Order a plain bun instead of sesame or artisan buns.
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Say no to extra cheese or bacon.
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Ask for extra veggies like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles instead of cheese or sauces.
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Choose a side salad with light dressing rather than fries for a lower calorie pairing.
Making simple swaps and customizations like these can save you 100 calories or more compared to standard sandwich builds.
Are the Calorie Counts Accurate?
McDonald’s provides calorie information that has been determined through lab testing and standard product formulations. However, there will always be slight variations in calorie counts depending on:
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Exact portion sizes, which can vary slightly from one location to the next
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Differences in preparation by restaurant staff
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Normal variations in food quality and density
So consider the posted calorie counts general guidelines rather than absolutes. The calorie count you get for a sandwich you customize may differ somewhat from the posted information. If you need a very precise calorie count, you’ll need to inquire about weighing and measuring the individual components.
Overall though, the posted calorie information offers reasonably accurate estimates you can use when tracking your daily intake.
Healthier Side Options to Pair with a Chicken Sandwich
Rather than fries, some healthier side options at McDonald’s to consider include:
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Fruit & Yogurt Parfait – A berry and yogurt parfait that makes for a filling, protein-packed side item.
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Fruit ‘N Yogurt Bag – Diced apples and a low-fat yogurt dipping sauce.
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Side Salad – A mixed green salad with Newman’s Own dressing. Opt for light vinaigrette dressings.
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Cuties – Fresh clementine orange segments packed in a cup.
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Apple Slices – Freshly sliced apples served with a caramel dipping sauce. Ask for sauce on the side.
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Fries – You can still work fries into your meal! Just opt for a small versus a large size. McDonald’s small fries have 230 calories.
Adding in a fruit, veggie, or yogurt side will help make your meal more balanced and nutritious while keeping calories in check.
Should You Trust McDonald’s Nutrition Facts?
McDonald’s presents nutrition information for its menu items based on standardized product formulas and average values. The figures are estimates, not absolute counts. Variability can occur due to:
- Differences in food quality and density
- Variations in portion sizes
- Changes during preparation
- Adjustments made by individual restaurant locations
The counts for customized orders will be especially prone to deviation from posted values. However, for standard unmodified menu items, McDonald’s nutrition info should be reasonably accurate for most situations. While not perfect, it’s reliable enough to use for tracking calories and other nutrients in your daily diet.
Independent labs have analyzed McDonald’s foods and found their calorie counts and other nutrition figures to align closely with the published values in most cases. So the information can generally be trusted when making healthy meal choices.
Finding Detailed Nutrition Information Online
For complete nutrition details on all their chicken sandwiches – including calories, carbs, protein, fat, and other nutrients – visit the McDonald’s website or mobile app. Here you can browse the full menu and see a breakdown of nutrition facts for every standard and customized item.
McDonald’s also provides allergen and ingredient info for all menu products. So those with food restrictions can learn exactly what a given sandwich contains.
Having access to detailed data makes it easy to find a chicken sandwich at McDonald’s that fits your dietary needs and calorie goals. Just customize to suit your preferences using their online nutrition resources.
The Takeaway – Enjoy Your Sandwich Guilt-Free!
Chicken sandwiches from McDonald’s offer a quick, convenient meal full of protein and flavor. Just be mindful of calories by avoiding fried options, skipping high-calorie sauces, and pairing with healthier sides. Consider customizing your order to keep calories in check. While not perfect, McDonald’s does provide reasonably accurate nutrition data you can use to make informed choices. So enjoy your made-to-order chicken sandwich guilt-free! With the right choices and sensible portions, you can satisfy your craving without sabotaging your healthy eating goals.
The McDonald’s Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich
As any fast-food veteran knows, “deluxe” means, “Hey, look, we put some vegetables on this thing.”
For a mere $1. Some thin slices of kinda-red tomatoes and a scattering of shredded lettuce likely came from the same bin that’s used to dress Big Macs. This is a $20 upgrade from the base model. But . mayo!.
The sandwich carries 570 calories, 27g protein, 47g carbs (2g fiber, 10g sugar), and 26g fat.
The ingredients mimic those of the Crispy Chicken Sandwich—same bun, same chicken patty—and for whatever reason the mayo also has sugar in it. One gram, but still?.
A somewhat minor note: For whatever reason, “deluxe” does not include pickles. So there are pickles on the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, but not on the Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich—perhaps because McDonalds doesnt think we can handle it.
Its basically the same damn chicken sandwich as the first chicken sandwich.
The mayo helps a little, but the tomatoes—which McDonalds advertises are the “Roma” variety—are mealy and tasteless. The lettuce, limp from the heat of the fried chicken, tastes strangely tangy.
A little more than halfway through the sandwich, I remove the bun, slide off the tomato, shake off the lettuce, and eat the chicken patty. I call this maneuver the “De-Deluxe. “.
The McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich
“This southern-style fried chicken sandwich is crispy, juicy, and tender perfection,” the chain says of the item. It’s topped with crinkle-cut pickles and served on a new toasted, buttered potato roll. “.
Its the base model, so to speak, of their new fleet.
This sandwich contains 470 calories, 27 grams (g) protein, 45g carbohydrates (1g of which is fiber, and 9g of which are sugar).
While 470 calories isnt anything shocking—and 27 grams of protein is pretty dang close to the 30 we recommend you consume at each meal to build muscle and stay full—its evident that theres a hefty dose of empty carbohydrates in this sandwich.
And, hold up, nine grams of sugar in a chicken sandwich? Like, the same amount of sugar thats in two Oreo cookies?.
If you unfurl the lengthy ingredients list for the sandwich on the companys website, youll notice that McDonalds shoves sugar into not only the bun, but also the breaded chicken. “Sugar” is its fifth ingredient—even before salt.
The chicken itself actually tastes pretty great. Its well-seasoned, not overly breaded, and deeply savory (perhaps due to a secret ingredient: Monosodium Glutamate, aka MSG).
The rest of the sandwich, which only has three warm pickles and is stuffed between two sickly sweet buns, doesn’t honor the chicken.
Despite McDonalds marketing assurances that the sandwich is “juicy”—surprise!—its dry.
At $4, it leaves you feeling slightly shortchanged and scrambling for some mayonnaise.
Nutrition Facts of MCDONALDS MCCHICKEN SANDWICH
FAQ
How many calories are in a McDonald’s chicken sandwich?
McDonald’s chicken sandwiches range in calories from 360 to 530, depending on the specific sandwich. The Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich has 360 calories, the McChicken has 390 calories, and the McCrispy has 470 calories.
What is the lowest calorie chicken sandwich at McDonald’s?
The Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich emerges as one of McDonald’s most nutritious main dishes, with 360 calories and 33 grams of protein. It’s a filling meal made with grilled chicken breast and a multi-grain bun. It doesn’t have any added fat or processed ingredients.
Is a McChicken healthy at McDonald’s?
Most people don’t think of McDonald’s McChicken sandwich as a healthy choice because it has a lot of sodium, fat, and calories. While it’s lower in calories compared to some other McDonald’s burgers, it still contains a significant amount of these less desirable nutrients.
How many calories are in a McDonald’s Cajun chicken sandwich?
| Kilocalorie | 460kCal |
|---|---|
| Saturated Fat | 6.4g |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g |
| Cholesterol | 22.8mg |