A McChicken sandwich from McDonald’s without mayo contains 360 calories. The McChicken is a staple menu item at McDonald’s and is made up of a seasoned breaded chicken patty, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise served on a sesame seed bun. By holding the mayo, the calorie count drops by around 90 calories compared to a regular McChicken with mayonnaise, which contains 450 calories.
Nutrition Facts for a McChicken Without Mayo
Here are the basic nutrition facts for a McChicken sandwich from McDonald’s without mayonnaise:
- Calories: 360
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 820mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 36g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 19g
As you can see, while removing the mayo does cut about 90 calories, the McChicken sandwich still contains a fairly high amount of sodium at 820mg. It also contains 16g of total fat, most of which comes from the fried chicken patty. But it does offer 19g of protein thanks to that chicken breast fillet.
McChicken Sandwich Ingredients
Here is a breakdown of what’s inside a McChicken sandwich without mayo from McDonald’s:
- Breaded chicken patty – Made from a seasoned all white chicken breast fillet that is breaded and deep fried. The chicken fillet without breading or frying would be very low calorie, but the breading and frying adds a significant amount of calories and fat.
- Shredded lettuce – The lettuce itself is very low calorie, with almost no fat or carbs. It adds crunch and freshness.
- Sesame seed bun – The bun contributes a good amount of calories at around 150 per bun. Buns are typically made from enriched wheat flour and contain sugar.
- No mayonnaise – Removing the mayo removes around 90 calories and 10 grams of fat. Regular mayo is high calorie and adds saturated fat.
In addition to the main ingredients listed above, the chicken patty itself is likely seasoned with some spices and herbs for flavor. But those would not contribute significantly to the calorie count.
How McDonald’s Prepares the McChicken
Here are the basic steps involved in how McDonald’s prepares a McChicken sandwich:
- A frozen chicken breast fillet is delivered to the McDonald’s location.
- The raw chicken breast is seasoned and then hand dipped into a predust of flour and the McDonald’s special recipe breading.
- The breaded fillet is deep fried in vegetable oil on the grill until golden brown and crispy.
- The fried chicken is held in a warmer until an order comes in.
- The McChicken is assembled by placing the fried chicken patty on the bottom bun.
- Shredded lettuce is added on top of the chicken.
- Regular mayo is spread on the top bun (unless the customer requests no mayo).
- The top bun is placed on top and the sandwich is wrapped and served hot.
The frying method and the generous use of breading is what gives the McChicken it’s high calorie count. The chicken breast by itself is a lean protein, but deep frying adds a lot of oil and the breading also contains additional calories.
How Does McChicken Calorie Count Compare?
The McChicken is on the lower end of the calorie count compared to other McDonald’s sandwiches:
| Sandwich | Calories |
|---|---|
| McChicken without mayo | 360 |
| Hamburger | 250 |
| Cheeseburger | 300 |
| Double Cheeseburger | 440 |
| Big Mac | 540 |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese | 520 |
The McChicken has more calories than a regular hamburger due to the fried chicken patty but less than double burgers or Big Mac. Still, 360 calories just for the sandwich alone is fairly high for a single menu item. Adding on mayo and fries can add hundreds more calories to your total McDonald’s meal.
Healthier Low Calorie McDonald’s Options
If you are trying to watch your calorie intake, here are some lower calorie menu options to consider at McDonald’s instead of the McChicken sandwich:
- Hamburger – 250 calories
- Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – 350 calories
- 4 piece Chicken McNuggets – 190 calories
- Side salad with vinaigrette dressing – 15-60 calories
- Fruit & Maple Oatmeal – 290 calories
- Egg White Delight McMuffin – 250 calories
- Vanilla Cone – 160 calories
Sticking to grilled chicken, salads, egg dishes, yogurt parfaits, and desserts like cones or vanilla ice cream can help keep the calories reasonable at McDonald’s. Avoiding fried menu items and high fat sauces is key.
Low Calorie Fast Food Chicken Sandwich Options
If you want a lower calorie chicken sandwich at a fast food place, here are some of your best bets:
| Restaurant | Sandwich | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A | Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 320 |
| Wendy’s | Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 230 |
| Burger King | Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich | 260 |
| McDonald’s | Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 350 |
| Subway | Oven Roasted Chicken Sandwich | 310 |
Sticking to grilled chicken sandwiches instead of crispy or fried chicken will save you a lot of calories. And you’ll avoid extra calories from mayo or creamy sauces by asking for them on the side or skipping them altogether.
Low Calorie McDonald’s McChicken Substitutions
If you go to McDonald’s craving a McChicken but want something less calorie-dense, here are some options that can scratch that crispy chicken sandwich itch:
- Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – This grilled chicken sandwich only has about 350 calories, and you avoid the extra calories from deep frying. You can add shredded lettuce and a couple nuggets of your own mayo.
- McNuggets – 4 pieces of McNuggets have just 190 calories. You can dip them in your choice of sauce.
- Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken – Choose a half salad with light dressing and add some breadsticks for a filling low calorie chicken meal.
- Chicken Ranch Snack Wrap (without ranch) – Get it with your choice of sauce instead of the creamy ranch.
- Side Salad with Buttermilk Crispy Tenders – Build your own lighter chicken salad combination.
Tips for Lightening Up Your McChicken Order
If you still prefer to order a McChicken, here are some tips to shave off calories:
- Skip the mayo – Ask for no mayo, which will remove about 90 calories and 10g of fat.
- Order a small size sandwich only.
- Opt for a bottle of water instead of soda.
- Choose a side salad with light dressing instead of fries.
- Share your fries or sandwich with a friend to cut calories in half.
- Special order your McChicken as a lettuce wrap instead of a bun to trim carbs.
Making smarter side dish and drink choices and downsizing your portions or skipping calorie-dense sauces are some easy ways to enjoy the McChicken without going overboard on calories.
Healthier Homemade McChicken Sandwiches
You can enjoy the crispy chicken sandwich taste of a McChicken at home with a healthier homemade version. Here are some recipe ideas:
- Use cornflakes or panko bread crumbs mixed with spices for crunchy baked chicken.
- Try pan frying the chicken in just a teaspoon of olive oil instead of deep frying.
- Use thick sliced whole grain bread for the bun.
- Load up the sandwich with veggies like lettuce, tomato, spinach, and onion.
- Swap regular mayo for a lower calorie Greek yogurt ranch dressing.
- Bake sweet potato fries instead of deep fried for a healthy side.
With some simple substitutions and preparation methods, you can enjoy a tasty homemade McChicken sandwich for around 300 calories or less.
Should You Eat a McChicken Sandwich If Trying to Lose Weight?
The McChicken sandwich isn’t the worst menu item at McDonald’s for someone trying to manage their weight, but it also isn’t the best choice. Here are some things to consider if ordering a McChicken while dieting:
- Avoid adding mayo or other creamy, high calorie sauces.
- Opt for a smaller sandwich size or split with a friend.
- Pair it with a side salad and avoid fries or soda.
- Make it your one “splurge” meal of the day, not one of several.
- Remove the top bun to cut carbs and calories.
- Assemble the sandwich yourself by ordering a la carte chicken and bun.
Portion control and side choices are key. A McChicken here and then won’t sabotage your diet, but making it an everyday habit can slow down weight loss due to the calories, fat, sodium, and carbs.
Should You Eat a McChicken Sandwich If You Have Diabetes?
People with diabetes need to carefully watch their carb intake. Here are some tips for diabetics considering ordering a McChicken:
- Request no bun and eat it as just a chicken patty.
- Eat just half the bun to cut carbs.
- Ask for extra lettuce and tomato instead of the bun.
- Pair it with a side salad or plain yogurt instead of fries.
- Opt for a grilled chicken sandwich or nuggets.
- Use a lettuce wrap instead of a sesame seed bun.
Going bun-less or minimizing the bun is best for controlling blood sugar with diabetes. Also limit fry side dishes and sugary drinks.
Conclusion
A McChicken sandwich from McDonald’s without mayonnaise contains 360 calories, 16g of fat, and 820mg of sodium. While removing the mayo saves some calories and fat, the fried chicken patty along with the refined flour bun still make this a relatively high calorie fast food menu item. Those watching their weight or with diabetes can still enjoy an occasional McChicken in moderation by customizing the sandwich, opting for healthier sides, and portion control. Making healthier modifications at home is also an option for enjoying this popular crispy chicken sandwich at home while slashing the calories.
