There’s a certain comfort when it comes to eating at McDonalds. It reminds us of a simpler time, when we were kids and constantly asking our parents to stop after school or soccer practice. While we often feel nostalgic for the menu items that we grew up with, McDonald’s still keeps us on our toes with new items.
But now one of their latest introductions has hit the end of its road…sooner than we thought! What’s the deal?
Say Goodbye to the McDonald’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Parting is such sweet sorrow. Earlier this year, McDonald’s amped up their chicken nuggs game by introducing the coveted spicy nuggets. Fried in a tempura batter seasoned with cayenne and chili pepper, the nuggets were an instant hit. And why wouldn’t they be? Spicy stuff is the greatest (just ask Dunkin’).
So, what happened? They were only available for a little over a month, and even limited edition menu items tend to last longer than that. Well, if you’ve had the spicy nuggs yourself, I’m sure you’d understand. It seems, while they were never intended to be a permanent menu item (at least not from the very start), McDonald’s undershot just how popular they would be. That’s right—they’re all sold out.
If I had to quantify my sadness, it would be in the same realm as how sad I was when I heard all-day breakfast might not be coming back. And that’s pretty darn sad.
But Wait, Don’t Fret Just Yet!
While, yes, we are sad that the spicy version of McDonald’s chicken nuggets has run out…that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. There’s a chance your local McDonald’s still has some stock available. Which means you need to get in your car (or order for delivery) ASAP. Yes, right now! You can also make DIY spicy chicken nuggets at home.
If you’re as sad as me, and you need a little pick-me-up, check out these seasonal fast food items we get to enjoy.
Recipes for Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Tenders and Strips
Tex-Mex Chicken StripsI was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken NuggetsI developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Skillet Plum Chicken TendersIf you love plums, this recipe is for you! I combine the fruit with chicken tenders for a quick, easy and flavorful meal. Serve with brown rice or orzo pasta. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fried Chicken StripsI recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Everything Bagel Chicken StripsI love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Spicy Chicken NuggetsWe devour these spicy chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Italian Chicken TenderloinsMy friend made this meal for my husband and me after our first child was born. Since chicken tenderloin recipes can be so caloric, I trimmed down the fat and carbs, but we love it just the same. —Beth Ann Stein, Richmond, Indiana
Easy Chicken StripsI came up with these crispy strips one night when I was looking for a fast new way to serve chicken. They also make delightful appetizers, especially when served with barbecue or sweet-and-sour sauce for dunking. —Crystal Sheckles-Gibson, Beespring, Kentucky
Chicken FriesKid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Seasoned Chicken StripsThese strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
Citrus-Honey ChickenWe raise heirloom-breed chickens, so I'm always looking for chicken recipes. This one with oven baked chicken tenderloins and orange and honey flavors is tops at our house. —Beth Nafziger, Lowville, NY
Southern Fried Chicken StripsWhat's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Crispy Sage Chicken TendersOne of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these
panko chicken tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
Crispy Barbecue Chicken TendersThese crunch-coated chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Chili Chicken StripsInstead of ordinary bread crumbs, seasoned crushed corn chips coat these slightly crunchy chicken fingers. If your family likes food with some heat, use the full 1-1/2 teaspoons of chili powder. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Crispy BBQ Chip TendersThese crunchy chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Apricot Cranberry ChickenBefore we had kids, my husband and I used to make a lot of challenging recipes, but now we keep things a little simpler. This tangy chicken has big flavors that everybody likes. —Brooke Ruzek, Elk River, Minnesota
Apple-Mustard Chicken TendersMy husband says this dish is sweet and a little bit sassy, just like me. I like to use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness. Winesaps are great for this dish, too. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Parmesan Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
