McDonald’s, the global fast-food giant known for its iconic burgers, is revisiting a fan favorite from its past: the chicken breakfast sandwich. After their initial debut in 2020, the McChicken Biscuit and Chicken McGriddle sandwiches were quietly removed from the menu in the post-pandemic era. However, these breakfast items are now making a temporary return, starting with select locations in Michigan. As reported by TheStreet, this comeback is part of a broader strategy by McDonald’s to tap into the increasing consumer demand for chicken-based products, particularly at breakfast.
A Brief History of McDonald’s Breakfast Menu
Although McDonald’s is predominantly recognized for its burgers, the fast-food giant has an extensive history with breakfast offerings. The chain first ventured into breakfast in the 1970s, long after it began as a California barbecue restaurant. The pivotal moment came in 1971 when Pittsburgh franchise owner Jim Delligatti convinced McDonald’s corporate to allow him to sell donuts and pastries in the early hours of the day. This initiative sparked the introduction of the “Continental Breakfast,” a precursor to the more structured breakfast menu that McDonald’s is known for today.
By 1975, the chain introduced the Egg McMuffin, a simple yet revolutionary sandwich made of a fried egg, American cheese, and Canadian bacon on an English muffin. The instant success of this sandwich led to an expansion of breakfast items, creating a menu that millions of customers now rely on every day. As McDonald’s continues to innovate in the breakfast space, new items—such as chicken sandwiches—are often tested, reintroduced, or quietly removed based on customer demand and market trends.
The Return of the Chicken Breakfast Sandwiches
This summer, McDonald’s is bringing back two beloved chicken breakfast sandwiches: the McChicken Biscuit and the Chicken McGriddle. Launched initially in 2020, these sandwiches were part of a broader attempt to expand the breakfast menu, but their popularity faded as McDonald’s moved on to other offerings. However, after several trial runs in Florida, Kansas, and parts of Canada, McDonald’s has decided to bring them back for a limited time in Michigan, running through July 21, 2025. The two sandwiches, priced at $2.50 each, will be available at select locations, allowing the company to gauge customer interest before potentially rolling them out nationwide.
“Our customers told us they wanted more chicken, more often — and especially at breakfast,” said Mike Rodewald, a local McDonald’s owner/operator in a statement to Michigan press. “We’re excited to bring two bold, flavorful choices that satisfy that craving in a big way.”
The chicken breakfast sandwiches come with either a piece of fried chicken on a buttermilk biscuit or a maple griddle cake, combining McDonald’s traditional breakfast staples with the chicken offerings that have become increasingly popular at the fast-food chain.
McDonald’s Chicken Strategy: A Broader Trend
McDonald’s decision to bring back these chicken sandwiches for breakfast is part of a larger shift toward poultry in its menu offerings. The company has increasingly leaned into its chicken portfolio over the last few years, driven by what it sees as growing consumer demand for chicken options. In 2021, McDonald’s introduced the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which quickly became a permanent fixture on the menu. Four years later, in May 2025, McDonald’s expanded its chicken offerings with McCrispy Strips, further cementing its commitment to poultry as a core product.
“We’re excited about the significant opportunity we see within our chicken portfolio and see the potential to add another point of chicken market share by the end of 2026,” said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski during the latest earnings call in April 2025. “We continue to roll out McCrispy, which is now in over 70 markets and will be available in nearly all markets by the end of 2025.”
This move to expand the chicken category aligns with a broader trend in the fast-food industry, where competitors like Wendy’s and Taco Bell have also focused on growing their chicken menus. McDonald’s sees this as a key opportunity to capture more market share in the poultry space, especially as customers increasingly demand more chicken options.
