Sophie Bennett
In 2020, McDonald's added chicken to its breakfast menu for the first time, introducing the McChicken Biscuit and Chicken McGriddles. The McChicken Biscuit consists of a McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter, while the Chicken McGriddles feature a McChicken patty between two McGriddles cakes with a sweet maple taste. While these items were eventually discontinued, they were brought back in June 2025 due to popular demand and as part of McDonald's strategy to refocus its investments on launching new chicken-based products. This decision also comes after McDonald's experienced a slowdown in sales and a decline in its US market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of introducing chicken to breakfast menu | 2020 |
| Names of the chicken items | McChicken Biscuit, Chicken McGriddles |
| Description of McChicken Biscuit | McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter |
| Description of Chicken McGriddles | McChicken patty between two McGriddles cakes with a sweet taste of maple |
| Availability | Limited time and participating locations |
| Reason for reintroduction | Growing popularity of chicken among consumers |
| Price | $2.50 |
| Part of | "Chicken For Breakfast" campaign |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken for breakfast: McDonald's strategy shift
In 2020, McDonald's added chicken to its breakfast menu for the first time, introducing the McChicken Biscuit and the Chicken McGriddles. The McChicken Biscuit consisted of a McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter, while the Chicken McGriddles featured the same patty between two McGriddles cakes with a sweet maple taste.
These items were initially available for a limited time and were eventually discontinued. However, as chicken gained popularity among consumers, McDonald's brought back the two breakfast items in June 2025, as part of its "Chicken at Breakfast" or "Chicken For Breakfast" program. The program aimed to answer consumers' growing demand for chicken options beyond lunch and dinner, which could help boost sales, especially in the breakfast category.
The reintroduction of chicken breakfast items was part of McDonald's strategy shift in 2023 to launch more chicken-focused offerings. This shift came in response to a slowdown in sales, particularly in the US market, which the company attributed partly to reduced consumer spending on breakfast options.
While the nationwide breakfast menu typically offers sausage versions of the sandwiches, the limited-time availability of the chicken variants in select locations is meant to gauge interest and demand for a wider rollout. The return of chicken to the breakfast menu demonstrates McDonald's commitment to staying competitive by meeting the evolving preferences of its customers.
In addition to the McChicken Biscuit and Chicken McGriddles, McDonald's has also explored other chicken breakfast options. For instance, in 2020, the company tested the Chicken McGriddle, which featured a crispy chicken patty, in select locations. This variation was similar to the Southern Style Chicken Biscuit offered in the late 2000s.
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Chicken McGriddles: Product details
Chicken for breakfast has been a long-standing tradition in the Southern United States, and in 2020, McDonald's brought this tradition to the rest of the country with the launch of its Chicken McGriddles. This product was part of a "Chicken for Breakfast" campaign, answering consumers' growing demand for more chicken options at breakfast time.
Chicken McGriddles feature a McChicken patty sandwiched between two McGriddles cakes. The soft, warm griddle cakes have a sweet maple taste. The McChicken patty is crispy and can be ordered with additional toppings such as egg, bacon, and cheese.
The Chicken McGriddles were initially launched in 2020 but were discontinued a few years later during the pandemic. However, due to their popularity, McDonald's brought back the Chicken McGriddles in June 2025 for a limited time at participating locations in Michigan. The product was priced at $2.50, and its availability was intended to gauge interest and demand for a wider rollout.
The introduction of Chicken McGriddles was part of McDonald's strategy to offer more chicken-focused options beyond lunch and dinner. The company attributed its slowdown in sales, particularly in the US market, to a decline in consumer spending on breakfast options. By extending its chicken offerings to the morning, McDonald's aimed to boost sales and remain competitive in the fast-food industry.
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McChicken Biscuit: Product details
The McChicken Biscuit is a breakfast sandwich that was introduced to McDonald's menus nationwide for the first time in 2020, alongside the Chicken McGriddles. The McChicken Biscuit was discontinued but was reintroduced in 2025 due to popular demand and the growing consumer craze for chicken.
The McChicken Biscuit consists of a McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter. The biscuit is described as warm and buttery, and the McChicken patty is a fan-favourite. The McChicken Biscuit is part of McDonald's Chicken at Breakfast program, which aims to answer consumers' demand for more chicken options during breakfast hours.
The McChicken Biscuit is available at participating restaurants, typically starting at 6 am, 7 days a week, for a limited time while supplies last. The price point for the McChicken Biscuit is usually around $2.50, although this may vary depending on location and promotional offers.
The McChicken Biscuit has been well-received by customers, with some describing it as a "mouthwatering" option for breakfast. The addition of the McChicken Biscuit to the breakfast menu is part of McDonald's commitment to remaining a leader in the quick-service breakfast category through consistent menu innovation and an improved Drive-Thru experience.
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Chicken at Breakfast program: Consumer demand
In 2020, McDonald's introduced chicken to its breakfast menu for the first time, adding the McChicken Biscuit and the Chicken McGriddles. The McChicken Biscuit consists of a McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter. The Chicken McGriddles feature a McChicken patty between two McGriddles cakes with the sweet taste of maple. These menu items were initially launched in the Southern states and were eventually made available nationwide. However, the chicken breakfast items were eventually discontinued.
In 2023, McDonald's shifted its strategy to offer more chicken-focused options beyond lunch and dinner, leading to the relaunch of its popular Snack Wraps. As part of its Chicken at Breakfast program, McDonald's reintroduced chicken breakfast items in June 2025, answering consumers' demand for more chicken options. The McChicken Biscuit and Chicken McGriddles were once again available during breakfast hours, this time as a limited-time offering at participating locations in Michigan until July 21, 2025.
The addition of chicken to the breakfast menu is a response to the growing consumer demand for chicken options in the morning. McDonald's has attributed a slowdown in sales, particularly in the US market, to a decline in consumer spending on breakfast options. By extending its chicken offerings to breakfast, McDonald's aims to boost sales and remain competitive in the fast-food industry.
The limited-time availability of the chicken breakfast items in Michigan is intended to gauge interest and demand for a wider rollout. The success of the trial runs in Florida, Kansas, and parts of Canada further highlights the demand for chicken at breakfast. With consumers expressing their desire for "more chicken, more often—and especially at breakfast," McDonald's is strategically refocusing its investments to meet the evolving preferences of its customers.
While the nationwide breakfast menu typically features the regular sausage versions of the sandwiches, the introduction of chicken variants provides variety and caters to the increasing popularity of chicken among consumers. The Chicken at Breakfast program showcases McDonald's commitment to innovation and staying ahead in the quick-service breakfast category. By offering mouthwatering chicken options, efficient Drive-Thru service, and consistent menu updates, McDonald's aims to enhance the overall customer experience.
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Chicken breakfast availability: Locations and timing
In 2020, McDonald's introduced chicken to its breakfast menu for the first time, offering the McChicken Biscuit and the Chicken McGriddles nationwide. However, these chicken breakfast items were eventually discontinued. In June 2025, McDonald's brought back the McChicken Biscuit and Chicken McGriddles during breakfast hours as part of its Chicken at Breakfast program.
The McChicken Biscuit consists of a McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter. The Chicken McGriddles feature a McChicken patty between two McGriddles cakes with the sweet taste of maple. These menu items were initially introduced in 2020 as a limited-time offering and are now back by popular demand.
The availability of these chicken breakfast items may vary by location and time. As of June 2025, these items are available at participating locations in Michigan until July 21. Each sandwich is priced at $2.50, and availability may be limited as the summer progresses.
In the past, McDonald's has also tested these chicken breakfast items in Florida, Kansas, and parts of Canada. The company's decision to bring back chicken breakfast options is a response to growing consumer demand for chicken and a strategy to boost sales, particularly in the competitive breakfast segment.
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Frequently asked questions
McDonald's breakfast chicken is different from its lunch/dinner chicken because the former is served as part of specific breakfast menu items, such as the McChicken Biscuit and Chicken McGriddles, which are only available during breakfast hours.
The breakfast chicken items were initially launched nationwide in 2020 but were discontinued. They were reintroduced in 2025 and are currently available at participating McDonald's locations in Michigan through July 21.
The breakfast chicken menu items include the McChicken Biscuit and the Chicken McGriddles. The McChicken Biscuit consists of a McChicken patty sandwiched between a sliced biscuit and topped with butter. The Chicken McGriddles feature a McChicken patty between two McGriddles cakes with the sweet taste of maple.
McDonald's added chicken to its breakfast menu to meet increasing consumer demand for chicken options, especially during breakfast hours. The addition of chicken to the breakfast menu is part of the company's Chicken at Breakfast program, which aims to boost sales and maintain competitiveness in the fast-food market.
