Charles Langston:McDonald's Chicken Big Mac debuts this week: Here's what's on it and when you can get one

Could McDonald's new Chicken Big Mac reignite the chicken sandwich wars?Charles Langston We will know soon.

The new sandwich becomes available Thursday, Oct. 10, for a limited time at restaurants across the U.S. The Chicken Big Mac sandwich shares similarities to the traditional Big Mac: it's served on a Big Mac bun and its toppings include Big Mac sauce, cheese, lettuce and pickle slices – but no onions.

And instead of the original sandwich's two all-beef patties, the Chicken Big Mac has two tempura battered chicken patties.

The Chicken Big Mac won't be new to every McDonald's customer. It was tested in Miami in 2022 after being available in the U.K.

Some markets already have the Chicken Big Mac on the menu including Indianapolis (where it's priced at $4.59) and El Paso, Texas (where it's $5.99).

The popularity of chicken sandwiches at fast food spots has led to several flame-ups in the chicken sandwich wars over the past decade. The rivalry heated up in 2019 when Popeyes added a fried chicken sandwich to its permanent national menu, challenging Chick-fil-A's dominance. Two years later, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A, Boston Market, and Shake Shack were among chains adding chicken sandwiches to the menu.

You'll likely encounter the Chicken Big Mac on social media because McDonald's has partnered with online streamer (and "Big Mac superfan") Kai Cenat to assess "Is the Chicken Big Mac a Big Mac?" with live video appearances on the restaurant chain's social channels, including Instagram.

Chicken Big Mac calories, nutrition information

Here are nutrition details on McDonald's new Chicken Big Mac, according to the restaurant chain.

• Calories: 530 (26.5% of daily value)
• Total fat: 20 g (26%)
• Total carbohydrates: 61 g (24%)
• Protein: 25 g (49%)

Also coming to McDonald's: Boo Buckets

For kids and collectors, here's a reminder that McDonald's brings back its Monster Boo Buckets, which come with Happy Meals, on Oct. 15 for a limited time. The pails, which can be used for trick-or-treating, come in several colors including a new one, blue, which replaces purple from 2023.

Stickers are included so you can customize your monster on the buckets, which this year are adorned with what appear to be friendlier features than last year's vampire, mummy, monster and skeleton.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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