What Is in a Chicken McNugget? Meat, Batter and Calories
A Chicken McNugget is made from white meat chicken. McDonald’s says the meat comes from three parts of the bird: the breast, the tenderloin and the rib. The chicken is ground, mixed with a marinade, pressed into shapes and coated in a light tempura batter before it is fried.
So no, there is no pink slime in them. That old photo that went around online was not from a nugget plant.
How are McNuggets made?
- White meat chicken is ground and mixed with a marinade for flavor and juiciness. The marinade also helps the nuggets hold their shape.
- The mix is formed into one of four shapes.
- Each piece gets a light tempura batter.
- The nuggets are partly fried at the plant, then frozen fast.
- At the restaurant, they are fried the rest of the way and served hot.
What are the four McNugget shapes?
Every nugget is one of four shapes: the bell, the boot, the ball and the bone. Some people call the bone the bow tie. The shapes are there so the nuggets cook evenly and are fun for kids to dip.
What else is in the batter?
The coating is mostly wheat flour and corn flour, with salt, leavening (which helps it puff up), spices and a little lemon juice solids and yeast extract for flavor. Since 2016 the nuggets have been made without artificial preservatives. The batter has wheat, so they are not gluten free.
How many calories are in McNuggets?
| Size | Typical price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 4 piece | About $2.79 | 170 |
| 10 piece | About $5.99 | 410 |
| 20 piece | About $8.39 | 830 |
That is about 41 calories per nugget before sauce. A packet of sauce can add 50 to 150 more, so pick your dip with care if you are counting. See full numbers for sauces and sides on our McDonald’s nutrition page.
When did McNuggets come out?
The nuggets were created by chef Rene Arend and rolled out across the U.S. in 1983. They were a hit right away and helped the chain sell a lot more chicken. Today they are one of its best known items, next to the Big Mac and the fries.
Are McNuggets real chicken?
Yes. They are real white meat chicken. They are not whole pieces like a tender, because the meat is ground and shaped, but there is no filler meat from other parts of the bird.
For prices on every meal and Happy Meal, see our McDonald’s menu with prices. You may also like are McDonald’s fries vegetarian.
Frequently asked questions
What part of the chicken is in a McNugget?
White meat from the breast, tenderloin and rib, according to McDonald’s.
Are McNuggets made with pink slime?
No. They are made from ground white meat chicken. The pink slime photo that went viral was not from a McNugget plant.
What are the four McNugget shapes?
The bell, the boot, the ball and the bone.
How many calories are in a 10 piece McNuggets?
About 410 calories, not counting sauce.
Are McNuggets gluten free?
No. The batter is made with wheat flour.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
