Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
The Big Mac is the most famous burger in the world — and for decades, it has always been beef. The Chicken Big Mac changes that single fact and nothing else: the same build, the same sauce, the same three-part sesame bun, but with crispy chicken patties instead of beef.
It has appeared in the UK as a limited-edition item, most recently priced around £5.59. If it’s on the menu board when you visit, here’s everything you need to know before ordering.
What is the Chicken Big Mac?
The Chicken Big Mac takes the exact architecture of the classic Big Mac and swaps the protein:
- Two crispy-coated chicken patties (instead of two beef patties)
- Big Mac sauce
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- A slice of cheese
- Pickles
- Finely chopped onions
- The signature three-part sesame seed bun
Everything else — the sauce, the salad, the cheese, the bun — is identical to the original. The concept is simple: for customers who love the Big Mac format but prefer chicken, or who don’t eat beef, this is the Big Mac experience without the beef.
Price: how much does it cost?
The Chicken Big Mac has been priced at around £5.59 for the burger in its UK limited-edition appearances. That positions it slightly above the standard Big Mac (around £4–£5.50) — a small premium that reflects its limited-edition status.
As a meal, expect to pay a little more than the equivalent Big Mac meal (around £5–£7 for a medium). And as always, prices vary by restaurant — London branches will charge more — and delivery apps (Uber Eats, Just Eat, Deliveroo) list higher prices than in-store.
Is it worth the premium over the standard Big Mac? That’s a matter of taste rather than maths. The price difference is small — roughly the cost of a hash brown — so the decision should come down to whether you prefer crispy chicken to beef, not to the pence.
Calories and nutrition
McDonald’s UK publishes full nutrition information for its menu on its official site and app, and the Chicken Big Mac is no exception when it’s available. As a general guide:
- The standard beef Big Mac contains 494 kcal.
- The Chicken Big Mac, with its crispy coated patties, contains more — the crispy coating adds calories versus griddled beef. Expect it to land noticeably above the 494 kcal of the original (check the official listing for the exact figure during its availability).
- As a medium meal with fries and a drink, the total will be higher still — likely in the 900–1,100 kcal range depending on your drink choice.
If you have allergies or dietary requirements, check the official McDonald’s UK nutrition and allergen information before ordering. Kitchens handle allergens, so nothing can be guaranteed completely allergen-free — and limited-edition items are no exception.
How does it compare to the original Big Mac?
Similarities: the sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and bun are the same. The eating experience — the layering, the proportions, the structural oddity of the middle bun slice — is pure Big Mac.
Differences:
- Taste: crispy chicken brings a crunchier, milder flavour versus the savoury depth of beef. The Big Mac sauce, designed for beef, works surprisingly well with chicken — the tang cuts through the coating nicely.
- Texture: the crispy coating adds crunch that the soft beef patties don’t have. Some tasters prefer it; purists miss the beef.
- Calories: higher, thanks to the coating.
- Price: slightly higher, as befits a limited edition.
- Availability: the original is permanent; the Chicken Big Mac comes and goes.
The verdict: it’s a genuinely good burger that stands on its own merits, not just a novelty. But it doesn’t dethrone the original — it offers an alternative for chicken fans and the beef-averse.
How does it compare to other chicken burgers?
- McChicken Sandwich (roughly £3–£4): cheaper, simpler — one crispy patty with lettuce and mayo. The Chicken Big Mac is the more indulgent, more “event” chicken burger.
- The Chicken One / crispy chicken range (roughly £4.50–£5.50): similar price territory, but a different build — typically a single fillet with different toppings.
- Mayo Chicken (around £1.40–£2): the budget champion. No comparison on luxury, but unbeatable on price.
The Chicken Big Mac sits at the premium end of McDonald’s chicken offering — it’s the chicken burger you order when you want the full Big Mac treatment.
Why limited edition?
McDonald’s uses limited-edition items like the Chicken Big Mac strategically:
- Excitement. Scarcity drives visits — “get it before it’s gone” is powerful marketing.
- Testing. Limited runs let McDonald’s gauge demand before committing to a permanent menu slot.
- Premium pricing. Customers accept a slightly higher price for something special and temporary.
- News cycles. Each launch generates press and social media buzz that a permanent item never would.
The pattern with McDonald’s limited editions is consistent: they arrive with fanfare, sell strongly, disappear, and — if popular enough — return. The Chicken Big Mac has already shown it has the demand to come back more than once.
Should you try it?
Yes, if: you love the Big Mac format but prefer chicken; you don’t eat beef; you enjoy limited editions and don’t want menu FOMO; you’re curious.
Maybe skip it, if: you’re a Big Mac purist who believes beef is non-negotiable; you’re watching calories (the crispy coating adds up); you’re on a tight budget (the standard Big Mac or a Saver Menu option gives you more for less).
Either way, don’t delay — limited editions can sell out or be withdrawn with little warning. If you see it on the board, that might be your only chance for months.
Tips for ordering
- Check the app first. The MyMcDonald’s app will show whether your local restaurant currently has it, plus the local price.
- Customise like a Big Mac. Extra sauce, no pickles, extra lettuce — the usual Big Mac customisations apply.
- Consider the meal. As with the standard Big Mac, the meal upgrade (fries + drink) is usually good value versus buying separately.
- Earn the points. It’s a full-price item, so make sure you scan the app and collect your rewards points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Chicken Big Mac in the UK?
Around £5.59 for the burger in its most recent limited-edition appearance. Prices vary by restaurant.
How many calories are in a Chicken Big Mac?
More than the 494 kcal of the beef Big Mac, due to the crispy coating — check the official McDonald’s UK site or app for the exact figure during its availability.
Is the Chicken Big Mac a permanent menu item?
No — it’s a limited edition that appears from time to time. The standard beef Big Mac is the permanent item.
What’s the difference between the Chicken Big Mac and a McChicken?
The Chicken Big Mac uses the full Big Mac build (two patties, Big Mac sauce, three-part bun, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions). The McChicken is a simpler single-patty sandwich with lettuce and mayo, and it’s cheaper.
Is the Chicken Big Mac available for delivery?
When it’s on the menu, it’s usually available through Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo where McDonald’s delivers — at higher delivery menu prices plus fees.
When will the Chicken Big Mac come back?
McDonald’s doesn’t pre-announce limited-edition returns far in advance. Keep an eye on the app and McDonald’s UK announcements — popular items tend to return.
Final thoughts
The Chicken Big Mac is a simple idea executed well: everything people love about the Big Mac, rebuilt around crispy chicken. At around £5.59, it’s a small premium over the original for what is effectively a limited-edition treat. Whether you’re a chicken devotee, a beef avoider or just menu-curious, it’s worth trying while it’s around — because “while it’s around” is the whole point.