Lucas Delgado
McDonald's has had an on-again, off-again relationship with its chicken tenders, which have been introduced, discontinued, and reintroduced several times. The tenders are made with juicy, 100% white meat, according to McDonald's, and are coated with a crispy golden-brown breading. They are significantly larger than McNuggets and come in different shapes and sizes, resembling actual slices of chicken breast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken Type | White meat chicken cut from the tenderloin, breast and rib |
| Chicken Quality | 100% Halal |
| Chicken Origin | McDonald's uses chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine |
| Chicken Seasoning | Salt, monosodium glutamate, carrageenan gum, chicken broth, natural flavor (plant and animal source), maltodextrin, spice, autolyzed yeast extract, chicken fat, polysorbate 80 |
| Chicken Breadcrumbs | Wheat flour, water, food starch-modified, salt, spices, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), garlic powder, onion powder, dextrose, spice extractives, and extractives of paprika |
| Chicken Preparation | Chicken is mixed with a marinade, coated in a light tempura batter, partially fried and quickly frozen to preserve flavor |
| Chicken Cooking | Chicken is fully fried and served hot |
| Chicken Accompaniments | Choice of sauce, e.g. McDonald’s Spicy Buffalo sauce, Signature Sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Tenders' ingredients
McDonald's Chicken Tenders are made from 100% Halal white meat chicken, cut from the tenderloin, breast, and rib. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and seasoned with salt, monosodium glutamate, carrageenan gum, chicken broth, maltodextrin, and spices. The tenders are then coated in a light breading or tempura batter, which includes wheat flour, food starch, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and spices. They are then partially fried and frozen before being fully cooked and served in restaurants.
The Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, introduced in 2017, were an improvement on the previous Chicken Select Tenders, which were discontinued due to their low profitability and high price. The new tenders were marinated in buttermilk and dredged in a spiced coating, resulting in a crunchy exterior and a moist, meaty interior.
McDonald's has been working to improve the nutritional value of its tenders and remove artificial flavors and additives. The first three ingredients in the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders can be found in a grocery store, not a laboratory. However, the high sodium content in the tenders has been noted as a concern, with the large serving containing nearly 3,400 milligrams of sodium.
In terms of allergens, McDonald's provides allergen information for its customers, but cannot guarantee that its food is completely allergen-free, even after ingredients have been removed on request. The company also sources its chicken from farmers who use ionophores, a class of antibiotics that are not prescribed to people, to keep their chickens healthy.
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McDonald's suppliers
McDonald's chicken tenders are made from 100% halal white meat chicken, which is seasoned and lightly breaded. The fast-food giant is committed to serving quality, great-tasting menu items to its customers and providing current ingredient information from its food suppliers.
McDonald's is tight-lipped about the identity of its suppliers, but some sources suggest that Tyson Foods is one of its biggest chicken suppliers. Pilgrim's Pride is another supplier for McDonald's, and they provide chicken for Chick-fil-A. In addition to these companies, McDonald's sources chicken from Keystone Foods, which provides the chicken for Chicken McNuggets.
McDonald's has faced criticism for the treatment of chickens in its supply chain. Animal welfare groups have called on the company to improve conditions, stating that the chickens raised and killed for McDonald's menu items suffer in horrific conditions and are unable to engage in most natural behaviours. In 2017, McDonald's issued a public relations statement outlining an eight-point plan for its chicken supply chain. However, this statement has been criticised for failing to address pressing animal cruelty concerns.
To ensure food quality and safety, McDonald's works with a community of farmers to source responsibly grown ingredients. The company also provides detailed nutrition information on its website, derived from accredited laboratories, published resources, and supplier-provided data. This information may vary based on serving sizes, preparation techniques, and regional differences.
McDonald's chicken tenders have been a popular menu item, and the company has made changes to its preparation methods and ovens to streamline the process and improve efficiency.
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Chicken preparation
After marination, the chicken is coated in a light breading or batter. In the case of the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, the chicken is dredged in a spiced coating, resulting in a crunchy exterior. Other variations, like the Chicken Selects, are breaded with a mixture of wheat flour, water, modified food starch, salt, spices, leavening agents, and various powders and extracts. This breading process is what gives the tenders their signature crispy texture.
Once the chicken is coated, they are partially fried and quickly frozen to preserve their flavour and shape. This step also ensures that when they are fully fried at McDonald's restaurants, they emerge with a crispy exterior and juicy, tender interior.
McDonald's takes care to ensure the quality and safety of their chicken products. They source their chicken from farmers who use ionophores, a type of antibiotic that is not prescribed to people, to keep the chickens healthy. Additionally, they have committed to transitioning to cage-free eggs in the US and Canada by 2025.
While the preparation methods for the Chicken Tenders may vary slightly depending on region and recipe updates, McDonald's aims to deliver a consistent and enjoyable product to its customers.
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Nutritional value
McDonald's chicken tenders are made from 100% halal white meat chicken, cut from the tenderloin, breast, and rib. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and dredged in a spiced coating, resulting in a tender that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The nutritional value of the tenders has been a cause for concern for some. A large serving of 10 tenders contains nearly 3,400 milligrams of sodium, which is significantly higher than the recommended daily intake of sodium. In addition to sodium, the tenders also contain other seasonings and additives, such as salt, monosodium glutamate, carrageenan gum, chicken broth, maltodextrin, and various spices.
While McDonald's has made efforts to remove artificial flavours and additives from its products, the high sodium content and the use of other seasonings and additives may still be a concern for those watching their salt intake or looking to reduce their consumption of processed foods.
In terms of allergens, McDonald's acknowledges that its kitchens handle allergens and that equipment and utensils are used for multiple menu items, including those containing allergens. While the company takes precautions, it cannot guarantee that its food is completely allergen-free, even after ingredients have been removed upon request.
McDonald's has also committed to certain standards and practices regarding its chicken supply. The company has introduced an antibiotics policy in the US to source chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine. Additionally, McDonald's provides ingredient and allergen information for its customers, allowing them to make informed food selections, especially those with food allergies or specific dietary requirements.
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Customer reviews
However, other customers seem to be enjoying the tenders, with one professional food writer from the Washington Post describing them as golden and slammable. This reviewer also noted that the tenders looked like they were "actually sliced from an animal," which is perhaps indicative of the fact that they are made from real chicken.
Another reviewer from Eat This gave the tenders a positive review, describing them as juicy, 100% white meat and coated with crispy golden-brown breading. This reviewer also noted that the tenders had a bold, new black pepper flavor and were surprisingly spicy even without a dip.
A reviewer from Business Insider ranked the tenders higher than those from Chick-fil-A, but upon a second taste test, they found that the tenders were thinner and had less shreddable chicken, suggesting that quality may vary from batch to batch.
Overall, while some customers have been underwhelmed by the tenders, others seem to be enjoying them, and some reviewers have even praised their taste and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, McDonald's chicken tenders are made from real chicken. The ingredients list "chicken breast strips, water, seasoning [salt, monosodium glutamate, carrageenan gum, chicken broth, natural flavor (plant and animal source), maltodextrin, spice, autolyzed yeast extract, chicken fat, polysorbate 80], modified potato starch, and sodium phosphates".
The chicken tenders are coated in a "seasoned, crispy coating" or "breading". The breading is made from "wheat flour, water, food starch-modified, salt, spices, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), garlic powder, onion powder, dextrose, spice extractives, and extractives of paprika".
The chicken tenders are "fully cooked" before being sold. They are "partially fried and quickly frozen to preserve flavor" and then "fully fried and served hot" when ordered.
Yes, McDonald's has offered different types of chicken tenders over the years, including the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders and the Chicken Select Tenders.
McDonald's offers a range of dipping sauces for their chicken tenders, including the Spicy Buffalo sauce and the new Signature Sauce.
