McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are one of the most popular chicken items on the menu. They are made with white meat chicken, coated in a light tempura-style batter, and cooked until crispy on the outside and tender inside.
If you are planning to order McNuggets, you may want to know more than just the taste. How much do Chicken McNuggets cost? How many calories are in them? What ingredients are used? And which allergens should you know about?
In this guide, we’ll cover the McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets price, nutrition facts, ingredients, serving sizes, and allergen information for McDonald’s USA.
Note: Menu prices and availability can vary by restaurant, location, promotions, and ordering method. Nutrition and ingredient information can also change, so it is a good idea to check McDonald’s official menu or app before ordering.
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Price
The price of Chicken McNuggets is not the same at every McDonald’s restaurant. Local pricing, promotions, taxes, and whether you order in the restaurant or through McDelivery can affect the final amount.
McDonald’s currently offers Chicken McNuggets in several sizes, including 4-piece, 6-piece, 10-piece, 20-piece, and 40-piece options.
Here is a general look at the available sizes:
| McNuggets Size | Typical Menu Option |
|---|---|
| 4 Piece | Small serving |
| 6 Piece | Individual serving |
| 10 Piece | Larger individual serving |
| 20 Piece | Sharing option |
| 40 Piece | Large sharing option |
For example, current McDonald’s delivery listings show that prices can vary considerably between individual restaurants. One location lists 10 Chicken McNuggets at $6.49, while another lists them at $5.79. This is why it is better to check your local McDonald’s for the exact price rather than relying on one national price.
McDonald’s also notes that McDelivery prices may be higher than restaurant prices and additional delivery or other fees may apply.
How Many Calories Are in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets?
The number of calories depends on how many McNuggets you order.
A 4-piece Chicken McNuggets serving contains 170 calories, according to McDonald’s current U.S. product information.
For reference, McDonald’s nutrition information shows the following calorie amounts for common serving sizes:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 4 Chicken McNuggets | 170 |
| 6 Chicken McNuggets | 250 |
| 10 Chicken McNuggets | 410 |
| 20 Chicken McNuggets | 830 |
The 6-, 10-, and 20-piece figures are consistent with McDonald’s published nutrition information, although formulations and nutrition values can change over time.
Keep in mind that these numbers are for the McNuggets themselves. Dipping sauces, fries, drinks, or other items in a meal can add additional calories.
Chicken McNuggets Nutrition Facts
If you are watching your calories or simply want to understand what you are eating, the nutrition information can be useful.
For a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets serving, McDonald’s published nutrition information lists approximately:
- 410 calories
- 23g total fat
- 4g saturated fat
- 70mg cholesterol
- 750mg sodium
- 26g carbohydrates
- 26g protein
These values are based on McDonald’s standard serving information and can vary slightly depending on product formulation and preparation.
4-Piece McNuggets Nutrition
A 4-piece serving contains 170 calories. It is a smaller option if you want McNuggets without ordering a larger portion.
6-Piece McNuggets Nutrition
A 6-piece serving contains about 250 calories, based on McDonald’s published nutrition information.
10-Piece McNuggets Nutrition
A 10-piece serving contains approximately 410 calories, with 23g of fat, 750mg of sodium and 26g of protein.
20-Piece McNuggets Nutrition
A 20-piece serving contains approximately 830 calories, making it a much larger portion than the 4-, 6-, or 10-piece options.
What Are McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Made Of?
McDonald’s says its Chicken McNuggets are made with all white meat chicken. The chicken comes from the tenderloin, breast and rib portions and is mixed with a marinade before being shaped.
The McNuggets are formed into four familiar shapes:
- Bell
- Boot
- Ball
- Bone
After shaping, the chicken is coated with a light tempura batter. The nuggets are partially fried and frozen before being prepared in the restaurant.
McDonald’s also states that its Chicken McNuggets contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Chicken McNuggets Allergens
Allergen information is especially important if you have a food allergy or food sensitivity.
McDonald’s provides ingredient and allergen information for its menu items, but it also warns that normal kitchen operations can involve shared cooking and preparation areas, equipment, and utensils. This means there can be a possibility of cross-contact with other allergens.
For the most accurate information, check the Nutrition & Ingredients section in the McDonald’s app or on the official McDonald’s website before ordering.
McDonald’s identifies the major allergens it tracks in its U.S. ingredient information, including:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Sesame
The exact allergen information can depend on the individual menu item and its ingredients.
Are Chicken McNuggets Gluten-Free?
McDonald’s USA does not certify its menu items as gluten-free. The company also warns about possible cross-contact with products containing gluten because of shared preparation areas and equipment.
If you have celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or another serious food allergy, check the latest ingredient information and speak with a qualified healthcare professional about whether the item is appropriate for you.
Do Chicken McNuggets Contain Artificial Ingredients?
McDonald’s states that Chicken McNuggets are made with white meat chicken and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
That does not mean the nuggets contain only chicken. The finished product also includes the batter and other ingredients used during preparation, which is why checking the complete ingredient list is important if you are avoiding specific foods.
How Are McNuggets Cooked?
The preparation process starts with white meat chicken from the tenderloin, breast and rib. McDonald’s says the chicken is mixed with a marinade and shaped into its recognizable forms.
The nuggets are then coated with a light tempura batter, partially fried and quickly frozen. At the restaurant, they are cooked before being served hot.
This process helps give McNuggets their familiar crispy coating and tender center.
Can You Get Chicken McNuggets With Sauce?
Yes. Chicken McNuggets can be ordered with dipping sauces, although the available sauce options can vary by location and current menu.
Remember that sauce can add calories, sodium, sugar, or other nutrients to your meal. If you are tracking your nutrition, check the sauce information separately rather than counting only the McNuggets.
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Product | Chicken McNuggets |
| Main chicken type | White meat chicken |
| Available sizes | 4, 6, 10, 20 and 40 pieces |
| Calories | 170 calories for 4 pieces |
| 10-piece calories | About 410 calories |
| 20-piece calories | About 830 calories |
| Artificial colors | None, according to McDonald’s |
| Artificial flavors | None, according to McDonald’s |
| Artificial preservatives | None, according to McDonald’s |
| Price | Varies by restaurant and location |
| Gluten-free certification | Not certified |
| Allergen information | Available through McDonald’s nutrition information |
Final Thoughts
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are available in several serving sizes, making them suitable for anything from a small snack to a larger sharing order. A 4-piece serving has 170 calories, while a 10-piece serving has about 410 calories. Prices vary from one McDonald’s restaurant to another, so checking your local menu is the best way to find the current price.
If you have food allergies or specific dietary requirements, don’t rely only on general nutrition information. Check the latest ingredients and allergen details directly through McDonald’s, since restaurant preparation and product formulations can change.
Information in this article is based on McDonald’s USA information available at the time of writing. Menu prices, availability, ingredients, and nutrition values may change.
FAQs
Q: How many calories are in 10 Chicken McNuggets?
A: A 10-piece serving contains approximately 410 calories based on published McDonald’s nutrition information.
Q: How many calories are in 20 McNuggets?
A: A 20-piece serving contains approximately 830 calories according to McDonald’s published nutrition information.
Q: Are McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets made with real chicken?
A: Yes. McDonald’s says Chicken McNuggets are made with all white meat chicken from the tenderloin, breast and rib.
Q: Do McNuggets contain artificial preservatives?
A: McDonald’s states that Chicken McNuggets contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Q: Are McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets gluten-free?
A: McDonald’s USA does not certify its menu items as gluten-free and warns that cross-contact with gluten-containing products may occur during normal kitchen operations.
Q: Where can I check the latest McNuggets ingredients and allergens?
A: You can check the Nutrition & Ingredients section on McDonald’s website or in the McDonald’s app. McDonald’s recommends checking this information regularly because ingredients and formulations can change.