Quick Answer
A McChicken sandwich without the bun has around 3-5g of net carbs. The chicken patty itself is low in carbs, but the mayonnaise and lettuce add a small amount of carbohydrates. Removing the bun eliminates around 25g of carbs, making the McChicken a lower-carb fast food option for people following diets like keto or low-carb.
How Many Carbs are in a McChicken Sandwich?
A whole McChicken sandwich contains around 30g of total carbs, with about 25g coming from the bun alone.
Here is the typical nutrition information for a whole McChicken sandwich from McDonald’s:
| Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat | Total Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 sandwich | 380 | 19g | 30g | 16g |
As you can see, the majority of the carbohydrates come from the white flour bun.
The McChicken patty itself contains only about 1g of carbs from the batter and seasoning. The mayonnaise and shredded lettuce add roughly another 2-4g of carbs.
So without the bun, the McChicken sandwich totals only around 3-5g net carbs.
McChicken Nutrition Without the Bun
Here is a breakdown of the nutrition information for a McChicken sandwich without the bun:
| Item | Calories | Total Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| McChicken patty | 170 | 1g |
| Lettuce | 5 | 1g |
| Mayonnaise | 90 | 1g |
| Total: | 265 | 3g |
As you can see, the McChicken patty, lettuce, and mayo combined have only around 3g net carbs without the bun.
This makes the McChicken sandwich a great low-carb option when ordered without the bun.
Does Removing the Bun Change the Calories?
Eliminating the bun reduces the calorie count of a McChicken sandwich significantly.
A whole McChicken contains about 380 calories. When you remove the bun, it cuts the calories down to around 265.
So you reduce the calories by about 115 just by omitting the carb-heavy bun.
How to Order a McChicken Without the Bun
If you want to order a bun-less McChicken, just follow these simple steps:
1. Go to the McDonald’s counter or drive-thru and order a McChicken sandwich.
2. When they take your order, ask for the sandwich without the bun. For example, “Can I get a McChicken sandwich without the bun?”
3. The employee may ask you to clarify, such as “Did you want that as a McChicken lettuce wrap?” This means they will wrap the chicken and toppings in lettuce instead of serving it open-faced.
4. If you want lettuce instead of the bun, say yes. If not, politely ask for the sandwich open-faced or between two top bun halves only.
5. Check your order when served to ensure your McChicken comes out as requested with no bun.
6. Enjoy your low-carb McChicken! Add any extra toppings like pickles or Mac sauce as desired.
Does McDonald’s Have Low-Carb Bun Options?
Unfortunately, McDonald’s does not currently offer any low-carb bun options for their sandwiches. The only buns available are the standard white flour buns.
Some other fast food restaurants like Burger King have introduced lower-carb buns made with ingredients like wheat. But McDonald’s has not jumped on that trend yet.
So for now, the only way to make a McChicken low-carb is to get it without the bun.
You could also try ordering it between two lettuce leaves instead to make a sort of lettuce bun. But there are no replacements for the standard bun at McDonald’s at this time.
Can You Make Your Own Low-Carb McChicken?
You can definitely recreate a lower-carb McChicken sandwich at home if you want more control over the ingredients.
Here are some suggestions for how to make a keto-friendly McChicken copycat:
For the Chicken:
– Use a boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs for the patty
– Coat in egg and seasoned almond flour or pork rind crumbs
– Pan fry in avocado oil or air fry until cooked through
For the “Bun”:
– Large iceberg lettuce leaves
– Portobello mushroom caps
– Thinly sliced deli meat or chicken baked into rounds
For the Toppings:
– Mayonnaise mixed with mustard
– Tomato slice
– Pickles
– Shredded lettuce
– Onion, if desired
Construct your low-carb McChicken with the chicken patty and toppings between your chosen bun replacements, like lettuce leaves or mushroom buns.
Making your own version gives you control over the ingredients so you can achieve under 5g net carbs for the whole sandwich.
What About the McGangBang Sandwich?
The McGangBang is an off-menu McDonald’s sandwich that swaps the McChicken patty for the patty of a McDouble burger.
Ordering a McGangBang without the bun results in slightly higher carbs than a plain McChicken due to the added burger patty.
Here are the approximate carb counts:
| Item | Total Carbs |
|---|---|
| McDouble patty | 1-2g |
| McChicken patty | 1g |
| Cheese | 1g |
| Onions | 1g |
| Pickles | 1g |
| Ketchup and mustard | 2-3g |
| Lettuce | 1g |
| Total: | 8-11g |
So you can expect the McGangBang without a bun to be around 8-11g net carbs. That’s slightly higher than a plain McChicken due to the extra patty and toppings.
What About a McChicken Salad?
Ordering a McChicken salad is another lower-carb option at McDonald’s.
A McDonald’s side salad or full-size salad topped with a McChicken patty gives you all the flavors without the bun carbs.
Here are the approximate carb counts for McChicken salad options:
| Salad | Total Carbs |
|---|---|
| Side Caesar Salad with McChicken | 9g net carbs |
| Side Southwest Salad with McChicken | 12g net carbs |
| Side Garden Salad with McChicken | 8g net carbs |
| Full Southwest Salad with McChicken | 24g net carbs |
| Full Caesar Salad with McChicken | 18g net carbs |
The side salads keep net carbs under 12g in most cases. The full-size salads are higher in carbs due to more veggies and toppings.
Overall, a McChicken salad is a tasty lower-carb option compared to the sandwich. Just watch the salad dressing you choose.
Low-Carb Dipping Sauces
To keep your bun-less McChicken keto-friendly, opt for low-sugar sauces on the side.
These McDonald’s dips add minimal carbs:
- Barbeque sauce – 3g carbs per packet
- Mustard – 0g carbs
- Buffalo sauce – 1g carbs per packet
- Tartar sauce – 3g carbs per packet
Avoid honey mustard (12g carbs) and sweet ‘n sour sauce (20g carbs).
And always ask for sauces on the side to control how much you use.
Other Low-Carb McDonald’s Options
Beyond the McChicken, here are some other low-carb choices at McDonald’s to enjoy without the bun:
- Bacon McDouble
- Bacon Ranch Salad (without croutons)
- Egg & Cheese McMuffin
- Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit
- Sausage McMuffin
- Sausage Biscuit
- Scrambled eggs
- Sausage patties
- Side salad or breakfast bowl with cheese, egg, and meat
Stick with savory proteins like eggs and meat while avoiding pancakes, oatmeal, muffins, and other high-carb breakfast items.
And build your own salad for lunch or dinner, going easy on starchy toppings like croutons.
Should You Eat McDonald’s on a Low-Carb Diet?
McDonald’s isn’t off limits on a keto or low-carb eating plan. But it shouldn’t be a daily indulgence either.
Here are some tips for keeping McDonald’s low-carb if it fits your macros:
- Order a bun-less burger or McChicken
- Build a salad with meat and low-carb toppings
- Opt for breakfast sandwiches without the English muffin or biscuit
- Enjoy sides like bacon and eggs
- Limit condiments, sauces, and sugary drinks
- Check carb counts online before ordering
- Don’t go over your daily net carb limit
- Aim for once weekly or only on special occasions
The bottom line? Enjoying the occasional McDonald’s meal may be possible on a low-carb diet. Just make bun-free, keto-friendly choices most of the time. Moderation and carb counts are key.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are buns so high in carbs?
Buns are typically made from enriched white flour, which is very high in carbohydrates. A typical burger or sandwich bun can easily provide 25-30g net carbs out of a 50g total daily allotment on keto. Going bun-less removes this carb-dense component.
Is a McChicken Keto-approved?
A McChicken sandwich without the bun fits into a keto diet, providing only around 3-5g net carbs. It makes a convenient high-protein, low-carb fast food option for ketogenic dieters.
What about the McChicken sauce?
The tangy McChicken sauce, also called the “secret sauce” likely adds minimal carbs. Likely under 1g per sandwich. It’s a safe, low-carb topping.
Can I order a McChicken as a lettuce wrap?
Yes, you can order a McChicken as a lettuce wrap at McDonald’s. The toppings and chicken will be wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves instead of served open-faced. It makes for an easy hand-held low-carb option.
Is mayo keto-friendly?
Regular mayonnaise is keto-approved. Two tablespoons provide just 1g net carb, making mayo a fantastic low-carb condiment for burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Some brands even sell avocado oil or olive oil-based mayo with 0g carbs.
What about the McGangBang sandwich?
A McGangBang with no bun has around 8-11g net carbs. The additional burger patty and toppings result in slightly higher carbs compared to a standard McChicken. But it can still fit into some low-carb eating plans.
The Bottom Line
Ordering a McChicken sandwich “hold the bun” is a simple way to make this McDonald’s menu item keto and low-carb diet friendly. Without the carb-laden bun, a McChicken contains only around 3-5g net carbs from the chicken, mayo, and veggies alone.
Other bun-free options like burgers, egg sandwiches, salads, and breakfast sides can also work for a low-carb McDonald’s meal. Just watch carb counts in sauces, dressings, and condiments and enjoy McDonald’s in moderation on keto. Removing the bun makes many menu items customizable to suit a low-carb, high-fat diet when you need a quick and easy fast food option.
