Mia Patel
Chicken Selects, the crispy chicken tenders that debuted at McDonald's in 2002, were discontinued in 2013. While they were a fan favorite, others were less fond, with some complaining that they were 90% breading and 10% chicken. However, McDonald's has been testing McCrispy Chicken Strips at select locations, and it is rumored that they will be expanding their McCrispy line worldwide, bringing back chicken tenders and wraps. These tenders are expected to be available in the US in 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Return Date | 2025 |
| Return Location | USA |
| Name | McCrispy Chicken Strips |
| Price | $4.99 for three chicken strips |
| Test Locations | Seven locations in Hickory, NC |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Selects were discontinued in 2013
McDonald's Chicken Selects were discontinued in 2013 due to declining sales, despite their popularity among customers. The chicken tenders were introduced in 2002 and were a higher-quality version of the classic McNuggets. However, their higher price tag may have contributed to their removal from the menu as sales declined.
The discontinuation of Chicken Selects left many customers disappointed and longing for their return. In 2015, McDonald's briefly resurrected Chicken Selects for about a month due to high demand from social media campaigns. The product was then rebranded and reintroduced as Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017. Unfortunately, these tenders met the same fate as their predecessor and were discontinued in 2020 due to the pandemic lockdown, which affected customer footfall.
In 2024, McDonald's teased the return of a chicken product, sparking speculation that it could be the crunchy Chicken Selects. However, the new product turned out to be the McCrispy Strips, which were released in the spring of 2025. While some customers welcomed the new offering, others expressed disappointment that it was not the extra-crispy Chicken Selects they knew and loved.
The McCrispy Strips were met with mixed reviews, with some customers finding them unsatisfactory and lacking the crispy exterior they craved. Despite the less-than-enthusiastic response to the McCrispy Strips, McDonald's moved forward with the release of its Snack Wrap in the US, which may or may not include chicken. Only time will tell if McDonald's decides to bring back the beloved Chicken Selects or if they will remain a discontinued menu item.
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Mixed customer reviews
Customer reviews of McDonald's Chicken Selects are mixed. Some customers have fond memories of the crispy tenders, which debuted in 2002 and were discontinued in 2013. One customer on Reddit commented that they "loved those chicken strips SO much" and that they have "been hoping they bring them back every year since 2014". Another customer expressed their excitement about the potential return of the tenders, stating that they are "looking forward to seeing how these new chicken tenders and wraps will compare to how we remember them".
However, not all customers were fans of the Chicken Selects. Some Reddit users described them as "90% breading and 10% chicken", "rubber"-like, "nasty", and "cheap" tasting. Others noted that the tenders fell drastically in quality after their initial release. There were also rumors that the chicken tenders were more expensive for McDonald's to keep in stock, which may have contributed to their discontinuation.
While there is no official confirmation from McDonald's about the return of chicken tenders, there are rumors and tests underway. Some sources indicate that McDonald's is testing McCrispy Chicken Strips at select locations, and there are rumors that the tenders will return under a different name in 2025. It is speculated that they may become a limited-time offering, similar to the Shamrock shake or McRib, rather than a permanent menu item.
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Testing at seven locations in Hickory, NC
McDonald's is reportedly testing its new chicken tenders, now called McCrispy Chicken Strips, at seven locations in Hickory, North Carolina. The strips are priced at $4.99 for three and are set to be tested until July 21. While there is no confirmation on whether these tenders will become a permanent menu item, there are rumours that McDonald's is planning to expand its McCrispy line worldwide, including chicken tenders and wraps.
The original McDonald's chicken tenders, known as Chicken Selects, were discontinued in 2013. Despite their popularity among some customers, others were less fond of the Selects, with some criticising the high breading-to-chicken ratio and others speculating that low sales led to their removal.
Chicken Selects were reportedly more expensive for McDonald's to keep in stock, which may have contributed to their discontinuation. However, with the upcoming expansion of the McCrispy line, it appears that McDonald's is giving chicken tenders another chance.
The return of chicken tenders to McDonald's menus has been highly anticipated by many customers, with some expressing their excitement and nostalgia for the crispy and crunchy strips. The new tenders are expected to be similar but not identical to the original Chicken Selects.
With the current testing phase in Hickory, North Carolina, it seems that McDonald's is taking careful steps to gauge customer response and make any necessary adjustments before a wider release. The test locations provide a controlled environment to gather feedback and make data-driven decisions about the potential nationwide rollout of the new McCrispy Chicken Strips.
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Chicken tenders may be more expensive to keep in stock
Chicken tenders have been a part of McDonald's menu in the past. They were introduced in 2002 and removed in 2013. While some customers loved the tenders, others were less fond of them, with some criticising the high breading-to-chicken ratio.
Despite their popularity with some customers, it is rumoured that chicken tenders may have been discontinued because they were more expensive to keep in stock. Chicken tenders experienced low sales in the years before their removal, and McDonald's may have struggled to keep the product fresh, with supplies going cold and having to be thrown out.
McDonald's has since expanded its McCrispy line, which includes chicken tenders, to all markets worldwide. However, these tenders will not be the same as the original Chicken Selects. In 2024, McDonald's began testing McCrispy Chicken Strips at seven locations in Hickory, North Carolina, priced at $4.99 for three strips.
Chicken tenders are also still available at McDonald's locations in the UK, and they are rumoured to be returning to the US in 2025. However, they will have a new name.
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Expected return in 2025
Chicken tenders at McDonald's have a long history. The Chicken Selects, as they were called, were crispy tenders that debuted in 2002 and remained a fan favorite for over a decade until their removal in 2013. Despite their popularity, McDonald's reported that Chicken Selects did not earn a spot on the permanent menu. While the Selects have never returned to the US menus, they can still be found at McDonald's locations in the UK.
In 2024, McDonald's started testing McCrispy Chicken Strips at seven locations in Hickory, North Carolina, priced at $4.99 for three chicken strips. The tests were set to end on July 21. During the company's recent first-quarter earnings call, it was confirmed that McDonald's would expand its McCrispy line in all markets around the world. Instead of just offering McCrispy sandwiches, they plan to use the same chicken to make chicken tenders and wraps.
While there is no official confirmation, some sources indicate that chicken tenders will return to McDonald's in 2025, but under a different name. It is speculated that they will be a limited-time offering, similar to the Shamrock shake and McRib, and may become a permanent menu item depending on sales.
Chicken tenders have been a divisive item on the McDonald's menu. While some customers fondly reminisce about the crispy tenders, claiming they were gone too soon, others have less pleasant memories, with some criticizing the high breading-to-chicken ratio and the decline in quality over time. It remains to be seen whether the return of chicken tenders in 2025 will live up to customers' expectations and become a permanent fixture on the McDonald's menu.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, chicken tenders are coming back to McDonald's. They will be called McCrispy Chicken Strips and will be available in the USA in 2025.
Chicken tenders will be available at McDonald's starting in 2025.
Chicken tenders will be available at McDonald's locations in the USA.
Chicken tenders were discontinued by McDonald's because they did not earn a spot on the permanent menu. They were also rumoured to be more expensive to keep in stock.
Chicken tenders are fully cooked, seasoned, and lightly breaded chicken strips. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
