McDonald’s will bring back its chicken strips following a five-year hiatus, with a permanent spot on the QSR’s menu, reported CNN.
Beginning May 5, the fast-food chain will start selling McCrispy Strips, which are “all-white chicken tenders coated in crispy, golden-brown breading.” According to CNN, the tenders are an extension of McDonald’s crispy chicken sandwich, which was the company’s last permanent menu item added back in 2021.
“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.
The tenders will be served in three or four pieces, along with sauces, including creamy chili dip, a new sauce that is being permanently added to the menu.
Taco Bell also brought back its crispy chicken nuggets to its menu last week. Taco Bell described the nuggets as “tender all-white meat chicken, marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk, complete with a tortilla-crumb coating.” And along with the nuggets, the chain’s “saucy sidekicks” are returning as well, with a choice of Hidden Valley Fire Ranch sauce, Bell sauce and Jalapeño Honey Mustard.
The QSR also announced that “the nugget’s return is the start of Taco Bell’s journey to become a go-to destination for crispy chicken with a permanent mainstay by 2026.”
“We’re a taco place doing chicken our own way and like all our best moments, it’s a little unexpected—because we’ve never been about following the rules,” said Taylor Montgomery, Taco Bell’s chief marketing officer. “The demand for our nuggets was off the charts, which is why we’re looking at making crispy chicken permanent to give our fans what they are telling us they want.”
The chicken nuggets will be on menus for a limited time as one of several new creations the QSR is trying. According to a company press release, Taco Bell will have more menu drops ahead, with “new forms and sauce pairings” and a “sweet and spicy collab with Mike’s Hot Honey.”