McDonald's new Big Mac isn't a burger, it's a Chicken Big Mac. Here's when to get one

A special Big Mac is about to hit McDonald's menu – and it's not the return of the Double Big Mac from earlier this year.

The newcomer is the Chicken Big Mac, which has previously been tested in international markets including the U.K. Also tested in Miami in 2022, the sandwich is coming to McDonald's in the U.S. starting Oct. 10.

The new sandwich swaps out the two all-beef patties on the traditional Big Mac for a pair of tempura battered chicken patties. Otherwise, the ingredients and toppings are the same: the Big Mac bun, Big Mac sauce, cheese, lettuce and pickle slices.

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The sandwich made a surprise appearance in Los Angeles last weekend at the Chain pop-up dining experience as one of the menu items from a chain known as "McDonnell's," McDonald's said in press release. Dining attendees were not told the restaurant's menu items were actually made by McDonald's, but some tasters were familiar with the sandwich's ingredients, the company said.

Over the next month, the restaurant chain is teaming up with online streamer (and "Big Mac superfan") Kai Cenat to assess "Is the Chicken Big Mac a Big Mac?" with live appearances on McDonald's social channels, including Instagram.

“With the introduction of the Chicken Big Mac, we’re excited to pay homage to one of our most iconic menu items, the Big Mac, and introduce it to a whole new generation of fans,” said Tariq Hassan, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s USA, in a press release. “By tapping into some of our fans’ biggest passions from dupe culture to live-streaming, we’re able to serve up more than just a sandwich. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy in this campaign and we’re bringing experiences that will surprise and delight them, all before the Chicken Big Mac hits restaurants.”

Chicken Big Mac calories, nutrition information

The Chicken Big Mac becomes available for a limited time starting Oct. 10. 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%)

(This story was updated to include new information.)

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

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McDonald's new menu item: The Chicken Big Mac