The One Thing That Surprised Us About McDonald's Newest McCrispy Chicken Strips

McDonald's is buzzing with excitement ahead of the launch of its newest menu item—the McCrispy Chicken Strips.

It's a "big" moment for the Golden Arches, Liz Fernandez, Director of Brand Communications at McDonald's, revealed during a taste test at McDonald's HQ in Chicago on April 29, as it's the first permanent addition to the "core menu" in a long time (since 2021, to be exact).

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Parade was on-hand to preview the McCrispy Chicken Strips , along with the new tangy and sweet Creamy Chili Strip Dip , which underwent countless taste tests by Chef Charles, the visionary behind the product, who noted that McDonald's saw a demand and began developing the perfect dippable strip as far back as 2020.

And it was worth the wait, as McDonald's found the perfect formula to blend what they've learned in the past with what fans want now—a softer bite that's still crispy but with much less breading than the previous version.

The result? Obviously, you'll have to try it for yourself, but I'll be the first to say that it lives up to the hype. Chef Charles was right on the money when he explained that the first bite of the McCrispy Strip was your "mouth having a party." Once you add the creamy sauce, it turns into a "fiesta."

My taste buds were bursting with flavor and pleasantly surprised at how tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned the strips were.

The texture was also different when compared to the Chicken McNuggets, as Chef Charles pointed out that the nuggets are made using a tempura base, while the strips use a flour-based system, allowing each bite to feature a "lot of chicken."

How do they keep it so juicy? The secret is cutting the chicken thick, allowing for more marinade, while keeping the breading minimal.

As someone who loves a chicken and sauce combo, I found myself agreeing with Chef Charles once again that the chicken tasted almost better without any dips, however, it did go well with the Creamy Chili, which has a subtle kick that spice lovers and non-spice fanatics will enjoy.

When I was handed my "chicken flight" to test, I was surprised to see a packet of honey amongst the other sauces, but when asked what his favorite combo was, Chef Charles revealed that you can never go wrong with a savory chicken strip dipped in honey. And boy, was he right (again!) as the sweetness perfectly complemented the bold pepper flavor.

In search of the perfect sauce pairing— spoiler , it remained honey with Creamy Chili coming in at a close second—I also enjoyed Honey Mustard (from someone who usually isn't a fan). Creamy Ranch, my usual go-to for nuggets and tenders, did not fit the vibe at all.

You'll have the option of finding your go-to pairing when the McCrispy Chicken Strips officially launch in restaurants nationwide on May 5, 2025 (they've been spotted at select locations already). You can grab them in three or four-piece counts (the three were surprisingly filling), with one or two Creamy Chili Dip sauce cups, respectively.

Next, McDonald's Fans Celebrate Major Development in Snack Wrap Return