Yes, McDonald’s does offer grilled chicken options on their menu. Grilled chicken can be found in a variety of McDonald’s sandwiches, wraps, and salads. McDonald’s uses fresh, real chicken breasts that are grilled to order in their restaurants. The grilled chicken provides a lighter alternative to fried chicken for customers looking for healthier options.
McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Some of the most popular grilled chicken items at McDonald’s are their grilled chicken sandwiches. These sandwiches feature a grilled seasoned chicken breast filet along with various toppings and sauces, served on either a bun or wrap.
Here are some of the grilled chicken sandwiches commonly found at McDonald’s:
- Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich – Grilled chicken topped with crinkle cut pickles, onions, tomato, and lettuce, served on a buttery potato roll.
- Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Grilled chicken with tomato, lettuce, and mayo on a toasted artisan roll.
- Classic Chicken Sandwich – Simple grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce and mayo served on a regular bun.
- Bacon Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich – Grilled chicken topped with bacon, smoked cheddar, and honey mustard BBQ sauce.
- Southwest Grilled Chicken Wrap – Spicy grilled chicken wrap with peppers, onions, lettuce, Cheddar jack cheese, and ranch dressing.
McDonald’s frequently adds limited time offers of grilled chicken sandwiches to keep things interesting for customers. Overall though, grilled chicken sandwiches are a staple menu item.
McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Salads
In addition to sandwiches, grilled chicken can also be found on McDonald’s wide variety of salad offerings. McDonald’s uses sliced grilled chicken breast on top of their cold salads featuring lettuce blend and various toppings.
Some of McDonald’s grilled chicken salads include:
- Southwest Salad – Grilled chicken, lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro lime glaze, and tortilla strips.
- Bacon Ranch Salad – Grilled chicken, bacon crumbles, lettuce, grape tomatoes, cheddar, and ranch dressing.
- Caesar Salad – Grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing.
- Apple Walnut Salad – Grilled chicken, lettuce, apples, cranberries, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette.
McDonald’s grilled chicken salads provide a lighter meal with protein from the chicken. Salad toppings and dressing vary to give different flavor options.
Grilled Chicken Products Internationally
While options vary globally, McDonald’s also serves grilled chicken items internationally. This includes grilled chicken products tailored to local tastes in countries around the world.
Some examples of international grilled chicken offerings at McDonald’s include:
- McArabia Chicken Sandwich – Middle East – Grilled chicken sandwich with Arabic spices and fixings like hummus and tahini sauce.
- McChicken Nambawan – Philippines – Soy garlic grilled chicken with pineapple salsa.
- Chicken McDo with Rice – Philippines – Grilled chicken with rice and chicken gravy.
- Piri Piri Chicken – Portugal – Spicy grilled chicken sandwich with piri piri sauce.
- Chicken McBites – New Zealand – Bite-sized grilled chicken pieces.
So while offerings vary, the use of grilled chicken can be found on McDonald’s menus worldwide.
Nutrition Information on McDonald’s Grilled Chicken
Here is some of the key nutrition information on McDonald’s grilled chicken options:
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
| Sandwich | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
| Artisan Grilled Chicken | 350 | 8g | 43g | 30g |
| Buttermilk Crispy Chicken | 520 | 24g | 48g | 28g |
| Bacon Smokehouse Chicken | 530 | 24g | 41g | 34g |
Grilled Chicken Salads
| Salad | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
| Southwest Salad | 290 | 12g | 26g | 21g |
| Bacon Ranch Salad | 300 | 16g | 13g | 26g |
| Caesar Salad | 340 | 20g | 14g | 23g |
As you can see, grilled chicken options generally have fewer calories and fat compared to crispy fried chicken. The protein content provides a good amount of filling protein to help keep you satisfied. Choosing grilled chicken allows customers to enjoy the great taste of McDonald’s while getting a healthier meal.
Grilled vs. Crispy at McDonald’s
McDonald’s offers customers the choice between grilled or crispy fried chicken. What’s the difference between the two?
Grilled Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts grilled to order
- Seasoned with savory blend of spices and herbs
- Provides nutrients like protein, niacin, vitamin B6
- Typically fewer calories and less fat than crispy chicken
- Takes a bit longer to prepare than crispy chicken
Crispy Fried Chicken
- Made from all white meat chicken coated in crispy batter and deep fried
- Offers signature McDonald’s crispy flavor and crunch
- Tends to be higher in fat, calories, and sodium than grilled chicken
- Cooks faster than grilled chicken
- Comes in breaded fillet or nugget form
So in summary, grilled chicken provides a lower fat alternative while crispy chicken offers that classic crunchy fried taste. It comes down to customer preferences and dietary needs.
Preparation Process for McDonald’s Grilled Chicken
So how exactly does McDonald’s go about making their grilled chicken? Here is an overview of the grilled chicken preparation process:
- Chicken breast fillets are delivered fresh and refrigerated.
- Fillets are seasoned with a signature blend of herbs and spices.
- Chicken is grilled for a precise time at a high temperature.
- Grilled fillets are held in a warming tray until sandwich assembly.
- For salads, grilled chicken is chopped and portioned.
- Workers assemble sandwiches or salads to order with grilled chicken.
- McDonald’s grilled chicken cooks quickly thanks to high-heat grills.
- Employees monitor safe food handling procedures.
- Grilled chicken offers a fast, flavorful protein option for customers.
Proper grilling, warming, and food safety procedures ensure McDonald’s grilled chicken is juicy, tender, and safe to enjoy. Employees are trained to follow food safety guidelines when handling and preparing grilled chicken.
Tips for Ordering McDonald’s Grilled Chicken
McDonald’s grilled chicken can be customized in different ways. Here are some useful tips for ordering grilled chicken at McDonald’s:
- Choose grilled vs. crispy chicken if aiming for fewer calories.
- Opt for grilled chicken salads for lighter options with lots of nutrients.
- Order sandwiches without mayo or extra sauces to reduce calories.
- Try dipping sauces on the side in moderation.
- For sandwiches, pick whole grain buns over plain buns when possible.
- Watch out for high sodium levels in items like the Bacon Smokehouse Chicken.
- Be mindful of added cheeses, bacon, sauces that can add fat and calories.
- Grilled chicken sandwiches can be made into meal wraps for variety.
Focusing on grilled chicken is a smart way to enjoy McDonald’s while still eating balanced. Customize orders to optimize nutrition and satisfy cravings.
McDonald’s Grilled vs. Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken
Both McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A offer popular grilled chicken sandwiches. How do they compare?
Similarities
- Use real, boneless chicken breast meat, not processed patties
- Chicken breasts seasoned and grilled to order
- Served on toasted buns with pickles, lettuce, tomato
- Offered as a healthier alternative to fried chicken
- Provide protein, vitamins, minerals
Differences
- McDonald’s – Wider range of grilled chicken sandwiches and salads
- Chick-fil-A – Uses peanut oil instead of vegetable oil to grill chicken
- Chick-fil-A – Offers signature Chick-fil-A sauce
- McDonald’s – Lower sodium levels in grilled chicken
- Chick-fil-A – Higher calcium content
Both chains provide tasty, convenient grilled chicken options. Nutritionally, they are fairly similar. Chick-fil-A offers their special sauce while McDonald’s has more grilled chicken menu diversity. Overall, it comes down to personal preference on taste, price, and other factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about McDonald’s grilled chicken:
Is McDonald’s grilled chicken real chicken?
Yes, McDonald’s grilled chicken is made from real chicken breast meat. It is 100% chicken with no artificial ingredients or fillers.
Is McDonald’s grilled chicken healthy?
Compared to fried chicken, grilled chicken from McDonald’s is a healthier option. It has less fat, fewer calories, and more protein. However, some grilled chicken sandwiches still have high sodium. Customizing orders can optimize nutrition.
Is McDonald’s grilled chicken cooked fresh?
McDonald’s states that their grilled chicken is cooked to order and not left sitting around. However, during slow periods, it may not always be freshly grilled. Demand determines grill times.
What are the ingredients in McDonald’s grilled chicken?
McDonald’s grilled chicken contains just chicken breast meat, seasoning (spices, herbs), grill flavor (natural flavors), and salt. No artificial flavors, preservatives, or stabilizers.
Does McDonald’s grill their chicken from raw?
Yes, McDonald’s grills raw chicken breast fillets to order in their restaurants. The fillets arrive refrigerated and are kept at food safe temperatures prior to grilling.
Conclusion
McDonald’s offers a variety of grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, and salads on their menu. Grilled chicken provides a lower calorie, lower fat alternative to crispy fried chicken. Their grilled chicken breasts are seasoned and cooked to order in the restaurants. Choosing grilled chicken is a smart option for customers looking for a high protein meal with fewer calories and fat than other McDonald’s items. While not the healthiest fare, ordering grilled chicken items and customizing can be part of an overall balanced diet. So for those asking “does McDonald’s make grilled chicken?”, the answer is a definitive yes!