Chicken & Sandwiches FAQs

Tender and juicy McDonald's chicken? Yep.

Have a question about McDonald's chicken? Perhaps you're curious what is in McDonald's chicken nuggets? We've got all the answers in our Chicken & Sandwiches FAQ!

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What Type of Fish do You use in the Filet-O-Fish®?

We use wild-caught Alaska Pollock for our Filet-O-Fish® sandwich in the U.S., which is 100% sourced from sustainable fisheries. Why is sustainable fish so important to us? Because it helps protect our oceans—something that's important to you. Interested in learning more about the Filet-O-Fish®?

Do You Only Use Chicken Treated Without Antibiotics?

In 2015, McDonald's introduced an antibiotics policy in the U.S. to only source chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine, which we completed nearly a year ahead of schedule. Farmers still use ionophores, a class of antibiotics that are not prescribed to people, to help keep chickens healthy.

We have also committed to fully transitioning to cage-free eggs in the U.S. and Canada by 2025.

Do You Use So-Called 'Pink Slime' Or 'Pink Goop' In Your Chicken McNuggets®?

No, our Chicken McNuggets® do not contain what some people call "pink slime" or "pink goop." We've seen the photo of "pink goop" or "pink slime" in association with McDonald's.

Let's set the record straight: this image in connection with McDonald's is a myth. In fact, we don't know where it came from, but it's not our food. The photo is not a representation of how we create our Chicken McNuggets®, or for that matter, any item on our menu. Each and every one of our Chicken McNuggets® is made with USDA-inspected boneless white-meat chicken—cut from the chicken breast, tenderloins and rib meat. Still curious about what's in a Chicken McNugget®? Check out all of the Chicken McNuggets® ingredients.

Where Do You Get Your Chicken McNuggets®?

We work with three dedicated Chicken McNuggets® suppliers with various manufacturing locations within the U.S., such as Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.

How do You Prepare Your Chicken McNuggets®?

We start with all white-meat chicken cut from the tenderloin, breast and rib and mix it with a marinade for flavor and juiciness and to help them keep their fun shape.

Once everything is mixed, we create the four famous Chicken McNuggets® shapes—bell, boot, ball and bone. They’re coated in a light tempura batter, partially fried and quickly frozen to preserve flavor. Once in our restaurants, they’re fully fried and served hot to you with a delicious taste that is full of flavor. Still curious about the ingredients in Chicken McNuggets®?

Does Your Chicken Contain Added Hormones?

No, McDonald's doesn’t add hormones to our chicken. As a matter of fact, no one in the U.S. does--it's actually against federal law.

Is the McRib® patty fresh or frozen?

The McRib pork patty is quickly frozen right after being formed to maintain the great taste. It is then fully cooked in our stores and assembled with slivered onions, pickles and barbecue sauce on a homestyle bun.

Why isn't the McRib® sold year-round?

We like to change up our menu throughout the year by offering some limited time only items, like our Shamrock Shake® in the spring. The timing of the McRib return can vary from year-to-year, but most recently, it debuts in the fall. If you'd like to share your thoughts with us, find us on the McDonald’s Facebook page or the McDonald’s Twitter account. We're always here to listen.

How do you make your McRib® sandwich?

The McRib^® starts with ground pork that has been shaped into a patty with that iconic rack of ribs shape. The patty gets tossed with a tangy barbecue sauce and then topped with slivered onions and pickles. And it’s all layered on a soft, homestyle roll. Makes you wish you had one right now, doesn’t it? Still curious about what's in a McRib®?

How is your McRib® patty formed?

We start with ground pork that is formed into a patty with a special press you’d use to shape a hamburger patty, except this patty resembles the shape of a rack of ribs. Why the shape of a rack of ribs? Easy...it’s fun. Get the full list of ingredients on our McRib® page.

When is the McRib® Coming Back?

The McRib® has limited availability, that’s part of the reason why it’s so special. We’ll be sure to let you know when the McRib is back. In the meantime you can try other favorites like the Big Mac®.

What's in Chicken McNuggets®?

McDonald's Chicken McNuggets® are made with 100% white meat chicken and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The chicken, which is cut from the tenderloin, breast and rib, gets mixed with a marinade for flavor and to help the Chicken McNuggets® keep their fun shapes.

Why does Filet-O-Fish® only have a half-slice of cheese?

We go by the same Filet-O-Fish® recipe one of our franchisees came up with way back when in 1961. Who knew, right? Of course, you can always ask for 'extra' cheese the next time you order a tasty Filet-O-Fish® at your local McDonald's. It’s the 21st Century, after all.