Sophie Bennett
McDonald's has had chicken tenders on its menu in the past, but they have since been discontinued. Chicken Selects, strips of tender chicken breast in a seasoned, crispy coating, were introduced in 2002 and removed in 2013. Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, a similar product, was added to the menu in 2017 but discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While some customers fondly remember these chicken tenders, others were less enthusiastic, with some claiming they were 90% breading and 10% chicken. McDonald's currently offers McCrispy Chicken Strips in the US, but they are not promoted as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. It is unclear whether McDonald's plans to reintroduce chicken tenders in the future, but the company has stated that it is constantly evolving its menu and listening to customer needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken tenders availability in the US | Discontinued in 2013 |
| Chicken tenders brand | Chicken Selects |
| Chicken Selects ingredients | Chicken breast strips, water, seasoning, modified potato starch, sodium phosphates, wheat flour, food starch-modified, salt, spices, etc. |
| McDonald's statement on discontinuation | "We are constantly evolving our menu and listening to our customers to meet their changing needs." |
| Customer feedback | Mixed reviews, with some loving and others disliking the tenders |
| Reasons for discontinuation | Speculated to be low sales and high cost |
| Possibility of reintroduction | McDonald's confirmed the return of Chicken Selects in 2025 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
McDonald's McCrispy Chicken Strips
McDonald's does not currently offer chicken tenders in the US. However, they did introduce a similar product called Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017, which were discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chicken tenders, also known as Chicken Selects, were once a menu item at McDonald's. They were strips of tender chicken breast coated in a seasoned, crispy batter. While some customers enjoyed them, others criticised their high breading-to-chicken ratio and their decline in quality after the initial release.
McDonald's has not disclosed why they discontinued Chicken Selects, but there are a few speculated reasons. One theory is that sales were low, and another is that they were more expensive to keep in stock.
In December 2024, McDonald's confirmed that Chicken Selects would be returning to the menu in 2025, though it is unclear if this will include the US.
Chicken Mystery: Are Store-Bought Birds All Male Roosters?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$12.99 $14.94
Chicken Selects discontinued in 2013
McDonald's Chicken Selects were discontinued in 2013, leaving a "tenders-shaped hole" in the menu, according to some fans. The chicken strips, sold in the US and Canada, were terminated despite some fans raving about them. Others were less enthusiastic, with some complaining that the product was "90% breading and 10% chicken".
Chicken Selects were a huge hit when they were introduced in 2004, but some sources suggest that sales began to slump before their removal from the menu. McDonald's has not confirmed the reason for discontinuing the product. In 2017, a similar product, Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, was added to the menu, but these were discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, McDonald's confirmed that Chicken Selects would be returning to the menu in 2025. Chicken tenders are currently available at McDonald's, described as "fully cooked 100% Halal white meat chicken seasoned and lightly breaded, making them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside".
Chicken McBites, another McDonald's chicken product, were also discontinued in 2013.
When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Buttermilk Crispy Tenders discontinued in 2020
McDonald's has offered chicken tenders in various forms since the 1970s. The Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were first introduced in 2004 as Chicken Selects, which were chicken strips sold in the United States and Canada. In 2013, Chicken Selects were terminated. However, they were briefly brought back in 2015 as a limited-time promotion.
In August 2017, McDonald's reintroduced Chicken Selects under the name Buttermilk Crispy Tenders. This product was well-received and became one of the company's most popular items. The tenders were made of 100% white meat tenders, battered, and marinated with buttermilk and a spice blend.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonald's imposed a limited menu to ensure that everyone could be served efficiently. As a result, the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were discontinued in 2020. There was disappointment among customers as the tenders were one of the most popular items on the menu.
In December 2024, McDonald's confirmed that the Chicken Selects would be returning to the menu in 2025, along with the Snack Wraps. This announcement was well-received, and fans of the tenders are eagerly awaiting their return.
Strategies to Transform from Side Chick to Main Chick
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicken Selects returning to the menu in 2025
McDonald's will be bringing back its Chicken Selects in 2025, much to the delight of its fans. The Chicken Selects, which are strips of tender chicken breast in a seasoned, crispy coating, were first introduced to the menu in 2002 and remained a favourite until their removal in 2013.
While no official reason was given for their discontinuation, some speculated that it was due to low sales. Others claimed that the quality of the tenders had drastically decreased after their initial release, with some even calling them "90% breading and 10% chicken."
The return of the Chicken Selects in 2025 will be a part of McDonald's commitment to evolving its menu and listening to its customers' changing needs. The tenders will be made with chicken breast strips, seasoning, and a breading of wheat flour, spices, and garlic and onion powder, among other ingredients.
Chicken Selects will join other chicken options on the McDonald's menu, such as the McCrispy Chicken Strips, which are currently available in the US. The return of the Chicken Selects is sure to be a welcome addition for those who have fond memories of the tenders and have been hoping for their return.
As McDonald's continues to evolve its menu, it remains committed to serving quality, great-tasting menu items that cater to the individual needs and considerations of its customers, including those with food allergies.
Cutting BBQ Chicken: A Simple 8-Piece Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strip ingredients
McDonald's Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips were introduced in 2006 as part of the Snack Wrap. The product was terminated in 2013 but briefly returned in 2015 as a limited-time promotion. In 2017, a similar chicken tender product, the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, was added to the menu.
Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips are made from chicken breast strips, water, and seasoning. The seasoning includes salt, monosodium glutamate, carrageenan gum, chicken broth, natural flavour (from plant and animal sources), maltodextrin, and spices. The chicken strips are then breaded with wheat flour, water, food starch, salt, spices, leavening (including baking soda and sodium aluminium phosphate), garlic powder, onion powder, dextrose, spice extractives, and extractives of paprika.
The full list of ingredients for the Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips is as follows:
- Chicken breast strips
- Water
- Seasoning (salt, monosodium glutamate, carrageenan gum, chicken broth, natural flavour, maltodextrin, spice, autolyzed yeast extract, chicken fat, polysorbate 80)
- Modified potato starch
- Sodium phosphates
- Breaded with wheat flour, water, food starch-modified, salt, spices, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), garlic powder, onion powder, dextrose, spice extractives, and extractives of paprika
McDonald's provides detailed nutrition information and discloses common allergens on its website. However, it is important to note that their kitchens handle allergens, and they cannot guarantee that their food is completely allergen-free. Customers with food allergies or special dietary needs are encouraged to contact McDonald's directly for ingredient information and to consult their doctors for advice.
Chicken Math: Counting Pieces in a 5kg Bag
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, McDonald's does not currently offer chicken tenders in the US. Chicken Selects, the previous version of chicken tenders, was discontinued in 2013.
Chicken Selects were discontinued due to low sales and the high cost of keeping them in stock.
Chicken Selects were made of chicken breast strips, water, seasoning, and breading.
Yes, McDonald's confirmed in December 2024 that Chicken Selects will be returning to the menu in 2025.
Yes, McDonald's offers McCrispy Chicken Strips, as well as other chicken items such as McNuggets and Crispy Chicken Sandwiches.
