Ever found yourself craving those crispy, juicy McDonald’s chicken tenders only to be disappointed when you reach the drive-thru? You’re not alone! Many Mickey D’s fans have been wondering what happened to those delicious strips of white meat chicken that once graced the fast food giant’s menu. Let’s dive into the mystery of the disappearing chicken tenders and the exciting news about their comeback!
The Rise and Fall of McDonald’s Chicken Tenders
McDonald’s has had a complicated relationship with chicken tenders over the years These tasty treats have appeared and disappeared from menus multiple times, leaving customers confused and craving
The Early Days
McDonald’s first introduced chicken tenders (originally called Chicken Selects) as a limited-time offer in the early 2000s Their big size and great taste made them wildly popular very quickly By the mid-2000s, they had earned a permanent spot on the McDonald’s menu across the United States.
These weren’t just any chicken strips – they were premium offerings with substantial pieces of white meat chicken, perfectly seasoned and fried to crispy perfection. For over a decade, chicken tenders remained a consistent offering that customers could count on.
The First Disappearance
The shock came in 2013 when McDonald’s decided to discontinue the original Chicken Selects in the U.S. (though they remained available in the U.K.). This decision left many customers bewildered and disappointed.
A Brief Return
In 2017, McDonald’s introduced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders as a new iteration of their chicken tender offering. These quickly gained popularity with their crunchy exterior and juicy interior. However, this comeback was short-lived.
The Final Goodbye (Or Was It?)
By 2020, McDonald’s had completely removed Buttermilk Crispy Tenders from all U.S locations This time, the disappearance coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Why Did McDonald’s Get Rid of Chicken Tenders?
McDonald’s has offered several explanations for removing chicken tenders from their menu:
- Menu Simplification: The company wanted to streamline operations and focus on core menu items like burgers, fries, and McNuggets
- Operational Efficiency: By reducing menu complexity, McDonald’s aimed to improve order speed and accuracy
- COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic created supply chain challenges that made it difficult to maintain certain menu items
- Strategic Shift: McDonald’s wanted to put more emphasis on promotional items rather than some permanent menu offerings
- Changing Consumer Preferences: The company claimed to be responding to evolving customer tastes
As McDonald’s CEO explained during the change, “We’re excited about the significant opportunity we see within our chicken portfolio and see the potential to add another point of chicken market share by the end of 2026.”
Customer Reactions
The removal of chicken tenders from the McDonald’s menu prompted strong reactions from customers:
- Many expressed shock and disappointment on social media
- Some customers started online petitions demanding the return of chicken tenders
- Loyal fans tried creating DIY versions using McChicken sandwiches or Chicken McNuggets
- The disappearance created a void that many felt was never properly filled by other menu items
As one fan put it on Twitter: “I still haven’t emotionally recovered from McDonald’s taking away chicken tenders. Nothing else hits the same.”
Why Chicken Tenders Were So Popular
There were several key reasons McDonald’s chicken tenders developed such a dedicated following:
The Taste Factor
Customers loved the flavor and seasoning of McDonald’s breading along with the juicy white meat chicken inside. The tenders had the perfect crispy exterior and tender interior.
Size Matters
McDonald’s chicken tenders were quite large compared to nuggets or strips from other fast food chains. Customers felt they were getting excellent value for their money.
Versatility
You could order chicken tenders by themselves, add them to a salad or wrap, or pair them with different dipping sauces of your choice.
Premium Appeal
Unlike McNuggets, which are made from processed chicken, the tenders were whole pieces of chicken breast, appealing to more health-conscious customers.
The Great News: Chicken Strips Are Coming Back!
Here’s the exciting part – McDonald’s is bringing back chicken strips in 2025! The chicken tenders will be served in three or four pieces with the choice of sauce, including a new creamy chili dip.
This return coincides with McDonald’s renewed focus on chicken products. In their 2024 Q4 Earnings Call, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski announced: “We’re excited about the significant opportunity we see within our chicken portfolio and see the potential to add another point of chicken market share by the end of 2026.”
The new chicken strips are part of a broader strategy to capitalize on the booming chicken market. With chains like Raising Cane’s and Wingstop seeing surging sales, McDonald’s clearly wants a bigger piece of the chicken market.
What About the Snack Wrap?
The return of chicken strips brings McDonald’s one step closer to bringing back another fan favorite – the Snack Wrap! This popular item, which consisted of 100% white meat chicken breast (crispy or grilled), lettuce, shredded cheddar jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and sauce (ranch, honey mustard or salsa roja) wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, is expected to make its return this year.
The Snack Wrap’s return has been highly anticipated since it was discontinued in 2016. With chicken strips coming back, we’re inching closer to having this beloved menu item back in our hands!
Timeline of McDonald’s Chicken Tenders
Here’s a quick look at the roller coaster journey of McDonald’s chicken tenders:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 2000s | Chicken Selects introduced as limited-time offer |
| Mid-2000s | Chicken Selects become permanent menu item |
| 2013 | Original Chicken Selects discontinued in U.S. |
| 2017 | Buttermilk Crispy Tenders introduced |
| 2020 | Buttermilk Crispy Tenders removed from all U.S. menus |
| 2025 | New chicken strips announced to return |
Why the Return Makes Sense
The decision to bring back chicken strips is a smart business move for McDonald’s for several reasons:
- Booming Chicken Market: Chicken-focused chains have seen tremendous growth
- Customer Demand: The persistent requests from customers show continued interest
- Competitive Pressure: Other burger chains like Burger King and Wendy’s have introduced crispy chicken tenders
- Complementary Products: The return pairs well with the successful McCrispy sandwich introduced in 2021
- Foundation for Other Items: The chicken strips create a base for bringing back additional popular menu items like Snack Wraps
How Do the New Chicken Strips Compare?
While McDonald’s hasn’t confirmed if the new chicken strips will follow the exact same recipe as the original Chicken Selects or the Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, they will certainly aim to capture the magic that made the previous versions so popular.
The fact that they’re calling them “chicken strips” rather than using the name “Chicken Selects” does make me wonder if there will be differences in the recipe or preparation. But honestly, as long as they have that signature crispy coating and juicy interior, I think most fans will be happy!
What This Means for McDonald’s Future
The return of chicken strips represents more than just adding another item to the menu – it signals McDonald’s willingness to listen to customer feedback and adapt its strategy. This move, along with the anticipated return of Snack Wraps, shows McDonald’s recommitting to fan favorites while still innovating.
With the fast food chicken wars heating up, McDonald’s is positioning itself to be a stronger competitor in this space. Between the McCrispy sandwich, the returning chicken strips, and the Chicken Big Mac (which will return as a limited-time offering), McDonald’s is clearly making chicken a priority.
The Final Verdict
For the millions of McDonald’s customers who have been missing chicken tenders, this is fantastic news! The wait has been long, but it seems McDonald’s has finally recognized the passionate demand for these crispy strips of goodness.
While we wait for the official nationwide release, we can look forward to enjoying these tenders again soon – whether on their own with our favorite dipping sauce or as part of a delicious Snack Wrap.
Have you been missing McDonald’s chicken tenders? Are you excited about their return? I know I can’t wait to get my hands on some of those crispy strips with a side of honey mustard sauce!
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Fear & Greed Index
Chicken has quickly become the fast-food menu item of choice for American consumers, putting McDonald’s in a tough spot.
Chicken revenue at McDonald’s fell behind the explosive sales at Raising Cane’s, Wingstop and other chicken-centric chains, as well as new entrants like Taco Bell, which all sell crispy chicken tenders and nuggets.
So McDonald’s revealed Thursday that it will bring back its eagerly anticipated chicken strips following a five-year disappearance.
Beginning May 5, the chain will start selling McCrispy Strips, which are all-white chicken tenders coated in crispy, golden-brown breading. The tenders are an extension of the chain’s crispy chicken sandwich, its last permanent menu item, which McDonald’s began selling in 2021 after a Popeyes version exploded in popularity.
McDonald’s is also adding a new, Creamy Chili dip. The tenders will be served in three or four pieces, along with other sauces, including barbecue, spicy buffalo and ranch dressing.
Chicken strips were pulled from McDonald’s menus in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, in a broader revamp of its menu aimed at simplifying operations.
However, they’ve been requested by fans, and McDonald’s on Thursday announced their return.
“The demand for chicken strips has been remarkable to see across the industry, so we knew we had to deliver something so craveable that it was worth the wait. We took our time, listened to our fans and created a product we knew they would crave,” Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s, said in a press release.
Adding chicken tenders means McDonald’s is one step closer to the return of the Snack Wrap – another fan-demanded item expected to be rolled out this year – because it uses the same chicken tender for its filling.
The return of McCrispy Strips could provide a boost for McDonald’s. The chain has struggled financially over the past year because customers see its prices as too high, which has even forced it to add a new value menu. McDonald’s reports earnings on May 1. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Ad Feedback
$6.39 for 3 McCrispy Strips. Ripoff or Worth it?
FAQ
Does McDonald’s still make chicken tenders?
In its ongoing effort to combat recent customer dropoff, McDonald’s will be bringing back its version of chicken tenders, which were discontinued in the U.S. back in 2013. The crispy chicken strips were once called Chicken Selects.
Are McDonald’s chicken tenders the same as Chicken Selects?
The recipe might not be exactly the same, based on the reluctance to call the tenders by their signature title, but crispy tenders of some sort will be returning to McDonald’s locations sometime soon. What’s more, the Chicken Selects were an integral part of the most-requested McDonald’s menu item — also set to make a rebound in 2025.
Does McDonald’s still sell Buttermilk Crispy Tenders?
Yet chicken chains, and especially those that deal in the handheld variety, have flourished since McDonald’s ridded its menu of Buttermilk Crispy Tenders. Limited-service chicken chain sales grew 9% last year, based on data from the Technomic Top 1,500. But sales by fast-casual chicken chains grew 24%.
Will McDonald’s reopen snack wraps & chicken tenders in 2023?
Snack Wraps and chicken tenders. In 2023, CEO Chris Kempczinski teased fresh chicken offerings. “We see the potential to add another point of chicken share by 2026,” he told investors. Fans have been anticipating the return of the McDonald’s Snack Wraps, which were discontinued in 2016, ever since.
Are McDonald’s Chicken Selects making a comeback?
Many fans believe that the popular Chicken Selects are due for a comeback. McDonald’s Chicken Selects, which the restaurant’s menu described as “Strips of tender chicken breast in a seasoned, crispy coating,” were a well-received alternative to its famous Chicken McNuggets.
Are McCrispy tenders the same as Chicken Selects?
Now, the brand plans to position the tenders and wraps as an expansion of the McCrispy line. Some fans are suspicious: There has been no word as to whether or not the new tenders will use the same recipe as the Chicken Selects. Fans don’t even know if the name will be the same.
Why did McDonald’s discontinue their chicken tenders?
The Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were released in 2017 but were eventually discontinued once again in 2020 due to low customer influx as a result of the pandemic lockdown. Years later, McDonald’s decided to once again resurrect the idea of chicken tenders with an entirely new name: McDonald’s McCrispy Strips.
Are McDonald’s chicken tenders coming back?
McDonald’s confirms the return of Crispy Snack Wrap and Chicken Tenders in 2025, exciting fans Yay!!
Did McDonald’s get rid of chicken strips?
McDonald’s announced Thursday that chicken strips will return to its menu after being removed five years ago. Beginning on May 5, McCrispy Strips, all-white chicken tenders coated in golden-brown breading, will be back on menus nationwide.
Are the McCrispy strips limited time?
What we didn’t anticipate, but you’ll likely be excited to know, is that the McCrispy Strips are debuting as a permanent menu item—in fact, they’re Mickey D’s first permanent menu item launch in more than four years.