The biggest name in fast food is strengthening its efforts in the battle for fried chicken sandwiches.
McDonald’s may have tens of thousands of locations worldwide and boast of its billions of customers, but it has been more or less dormant in one of the latest fast food frenzy – chicken sandwiches. Fed up with seeing Popeyes and Chick-fil-A winning the entire poultry press, the golden bows are renewing their non-burger offerings with three new chicken sandwiches in 2021.
All three new sandwiches will have “a brand new fillet in a crispy, juicy and tender leaf made with totally white chicken”, according to McDonald’s. There is the crispy chicken sandwich, the spicy chicken sandwich with spicy pepper sauce and the deluxe chicken sandwich topped with chopped lettuce, Roma Tomantoes and mayonnaise.
The new chicken sandwiches arrive at McDonald’s on February 24.
“We listen to our customers loud and clear and know they want more chicken options,” said Linda VanGosen, vice president of Menu Innovation for McDonald’s, in a press release. “We are confident that all chicken fans – from traditionalists to seasoning enthusiasts – will discover a new favorite menu that they will always return to.”
The new offerings will not replace McChicken, Mickey D’s exclusive chicken sandwich, on the menu. But based on the photos alone, the new sandwiches appear to be more substantial and appetizing than the old one.
McDonald’s will face fierce competition. Both Chick-fil-A and Popeyes make an excellent chicken sandwich. With regard to chains that do not specialize in chicken, Wendy’s has long been the standard hamburger supplier in the category. And you don’t have to go to a diner to have a great fried chicken sandwich in New Jersey – Chatham’s Namkeen opened in late 2020 and is offering delicious hot chicken sandwiches with a Pakistani twist.
We’ll wait to judge until we get to our tips on the new McDonald’s sandwiches. But even if they chicken out, they’ll always have some of the best chips in the game.
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Jeremy Schneider can be reached at [email protected]. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip on here.