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McDonald's McChicken Sandwich: calories, nutrition, ingredients and allergens
How many calories are in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich? It contains 371 kcal, 16g of fat (2.2g saturated), 5g of sugar and 1.4g of salt. This sits in the middle of the range for the core menu.
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Nutrition information
Nutrition information: McChicken Sandwich
Energy
371 kcal
Fat
16g
of which saturates
2.2g
Carbohydrate
40g
of which sugars
5g
Salt
1.4g
Protein
16g
Source: McDonald’s UK nutrition information. Figures are per item as sold, before any optional sauces or extras.
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains 371 kcal, which is 19% of the 2,000 kcal adult daily reference intake. It provides 16g of total fat, of which 2.2g is saturated, 5g of sugar, 1.4g of salt and 16g of protein.
At 2.2g, the saturated fat content is relatively low for a hot menu item, representing 11% of the adult daily guideline of 20g.
The breaded chicken patty coating contains added starches, raising agents and seasonings beyond the chicken itself. Combined with the mayonnaise and bun, the sandwich has notably lower saturated fat than any of the beef burgers, at 2.2g.
A moderate choice on calories and saturated fat
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains 371 kcal and 2.2g of saturated fat, 11% of the adult daily saturated fat guideline of 20g. The breaded chicken patty coating contains added starches, raising agents and seasonings beyond the chicken itself. Combined with the mayonnaise and bun, the sandwich has notably lower saturated fat than any of the beef burgers, at 2.2g.
Reference Intakes are EU-wide guideline daily amounts for an average adult (2,000 kcal). The free sugar limit of 30g is the NHS/SACN guideline, which is stricter than the 90g total sugars RI as it excludes naturally occurring sugars in whole foods and dairy.
Sugar, salt and protein by age group
The table below shows how the sugar, salt and protein in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich compares to daily guidelines for different age groups and life stages.
Sugar, salt and protein by age group: McDonald's McChicken Sandwich
Age group
Sugar (g / % limit)
Salt (g / % limit)
Protein (g / % target)
Age 4 to 6
5g / 26%
1.4g / 47%
16g / 80%
Age 7 to 10
5g / 21%
1.4g / 28%
16g / 57%
Age 11 to 17
5g / 17%
1.4g / 23%
16g / 38%
Adult
5g / 17%
1.4g / 23%
16g / 32%
Sugar and salt % shown against NHS/SACN daily limits. Protein % shown against estimated daily targets. Red = 75%+ of limit, amber = 20-74%, green = under 20%. Protein is beneficial and has no upper limit, shown for reference only.
Protein
McChicken Sandwich provides 16g of protein. For comparison, a general guide for adult daily protein intake is around 50g, so this item alone provides 32% of that target.
Salt
McChicken Sandwich contains 1.4g of salt, 23% of the adult daily limit of 6g. This is a moderate contribution, leaving room within the daily limit for sides and other meals.
Ultra-processed food: what is really in it
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich is assembled from 4 separate components, each manufactured and prepared separately, often at different factories, before being combined and cooked at the point of sale. The most heavily formulated of these are the bun and mayonnaise.
Reading the ingredient list closely, a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains emulsifiers, stabilisers, maltodextrin and dextrose. These are not used to add nutritional value. Emulsifiers help water-based and fat-based ingredients (such as oil and vinegar in a sauce, or fat and water in a bun dough) blend together and stay blended, rather than separating out. Stabilisers maintain a consistent texture in sauces and dressings over time, preventing them from becoming watery or separating during storage and transport. Maltodextrin acts as a bulking agent and helps control texture and browning in baked goods. Dextrose assists with yeast fermentation and browning in the bun during baking.
None of this means the ingredients are unsafe; all additives used are approved for use in UK food. What it indicates is the degree of industrial formulation involved. A home-cooked equivalent, made from a small number of fresh or minimally processed ingredients prepared in one kitchen, would typically involve far fewer steps and far fewer additives. The version sold at McDonald's reaches a comparable end result using a longer list of industrially processed components, several manufacturing sites, and a number of functional additives designed to keep the product consistent across thousands of restaurants.
Looking at the ingredient list rather than just the nutrition panel tells a different story. Even where individual macros (sugar, salt, calories) look moderate, the number of separately manufactured components, and the additives used to bind, emulsify, preserve, colour and flavour them, place almost every hot item on the McDonald's menu in the most processed food category under the NOVA classification system.
Processing (NOVA classification)
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich falls into NOVA group 4, ultra-processed food. The NOVA classification system groups foods by the extent and purpose of the processing involved, rather than by their individual nutrients. Group 4 covers products that are formulated mostly or entirely from substances derived from foods, plus additives, using a series of industrial processes with little or no whole food remaining recognisable in the final product. In this item, that includes emulsifiers, stabilisers, maltodextrin and dextrose, on top of the breaded or formed proteins, processed cheese and multi-stage assembly typical of the menu. This classification applies to almost all hot menu items at McDonald's, and indeed to most fast food and packaged convenience food generally; it is not a finding specific to this item.
Allergens at a glance
Allergen information: McChicken Sandwich
Wheat
Contains
Rye
May contain traces
Barley
May contain traces
Oats
Not present
Sesame
Contains
Soya
Contains
Milk
Not present
Eggs
Not present
Fish
Not present
Crustaceans
Not present
Celery
Not present
Mustard
Not present
Molluscs
Not present
Lupin
Not present
McDonald's UK prepares food in kitchens where allergens are present and equipment is shared. "May contain traces" reflects cross-contact risk from shared fryers, toasters and preparation areas. McDonald's cannot guarantee any item is completely allergen-free, even when ingredients are removed on request.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich?+
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains 371 kcal. With small fries the total reaches 621 kcal. With medium fries the total reaches 701 kcal. With large fries the total reaches 801 kcal. Adding a medium Coca-Cola to a medium meal brings the total to 881 kcal. The McChicken Sandwich represents 19% of the 2,000 kcal adult daily reference intake.
McDonald's McChicken Sandwich nutrition: what are the full figures?+
Per item: 371 kcal, 16g fat (2.2g saturated), 40g carbohydrate (5g sugar), 16g protein, 1.4g salt. The saturated fat at 2.2g is 11% of the adult daily guideline — the lowest of any hot chicken sandwich in this guide. The sugar at 5g is 17% of the adult daily free sugar limit. The salt at 1.4g is 23% of the adult daily limit and 47% of the daily limit for a child aged 4 to 6.
How much saturated fat is in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich?+
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains 2.2g of saturated fat — 11% of the adult daily guideline of 20g. This is the lowest saturated fat of any hot chicken sandwich in this guide and significantly lower than any beef burger. The low saturated fat reflects the use of chicken breast rather than beef and vegetable oil for frying. The breaded coating and mayonnaise contribute to the total fat at 16g, but most is unsaturated fat from the vegetable oil.
How does the McChicken Sandwich compare to the Hamburger?+
The McChicken Sandwich contains 371 kcal compared to 248 kcal in a Hamburger — 123 more calories despite less saturated fat. The McChicken Sandwich has 2.2g of saturated fat versus 3.2g in the Hamburger. Sugar is slightly less at 5g versus 6g. Salt is higher at 1.4g versus 1g. Protein is similar at 16g in both. For saturated fat reduction the McChicken Sandwich wins; for calorie control the Hamburger wins.
Does the McChicken Sandwich mayonnaise contain egg?+
The mayonnaise in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains egg yolk in its ingredient list. However McDonald's UK does not declare egg as a named allergen on the McChicken Sandwich — the allergen table confirms egg is not present as a declared allergen. For anyone with a diagnosed egg allergy, always check the current McDonald's UK allergen booklet directly before ordering, as individual sensitivity thresholds vary.
Does the McChicken Sandwich contain milk?+
No. McDonald's UK does not declare milk as an allergen in the McChicken Sandwich. This makes it one of the few hot sandwiches on the core menu free from a declared milk allergen — all the beef burgers with cheese contain milk from the processed cheese slices. For families avoiding dairy, the McChicken Sandwich is worth considering alongside the Hamburger, which also contains no declared milk allergen. Always verify against the current McDonald's UK allergen booklet before ordering.
What allergens are in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich?+
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains wheat, soya and sesame as declared allergens. It does not declare milk, egg, fish, crustaceans, celery, mustard, molluscs or lupin — despite the mayonnaise containing egg yolk and mustard in its ingredient list, neither is declared as a named allergen. It may contain traces of barley and rye from shared kitchen equipment. Always check the McDonald's UK app or allergen booklet for the most current information.
How much salt is in a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich?+
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich contains 1.4g of salt — 23% of the adult daily limit of 6g and 47% of the daily limit for a child aged 4 to 6. Adding medium fries brings the combined salt to approximately 2g — 67% of the daily limit for a child aged 4 to 6. The salt level is the same as a Cheeseburger and moderate relative to the rest of the McDonald's hot menu.
Is a McDonald's McChicken Sandwich suitable for children?+
The McChicken Sandwich is not on the McDonald's Happy Meal menu in the UK. For a child aged 4 to 6, the salt content of 1.4g uses 47% of their daily limit — moderate relative to the beef burger range. The saturated fat of 2.2g is the lowest of any hot chicken sandwich. On saturated fat and sugar the McChicken Sandwich is one of the more moderate hot items on the core menu, though it is higher in calories than the Hamburger. The drink choice remains the biggest single lever on total meal sugar.
How many calories in a McChicken Sandwich meal?+
A McDonald's McChicken Sandwich medium meal — sandwich with medium fries and medium Coca-Cola — contains approximately 881 kcal, 40g of free sugar (5g from the sandwich and 35g from the drink), approximately 2g of salt from the sandwich and fries combined, and approximately 4-5g of saturated fat. Substituting water for the Coca-Cola reduces the meal to approximately 701 kcal and brings free sugar down to 5g — the lowest sugar meal total of any chicken sandwich in this guide.
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Nutrition and allergen information from McDonald's UK official sources (allergen booklet and product pages). Figures are per item as sold, before optional sauces, dips or extras, and may vary slightly by recipe updates. Reference intakes: EU Reference Intakes for an average adult (2,000 kcal); NHS/SACN free sugar and saturated fat guidelines. For guidance only, not medical advice. Always check the McDonald's UK app or in-restaurant information for the most current data.
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