REVIEW: McDonald’s Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken Sandwich

McDonald's Hot 'n Spicy McChicken

McDonald’s Hot ’n Spicy McChicken Sandwich is only a dollar, so I really shouldn’t complain about it.

But after looking under couch cushions, car floor mats, Coinstar machines, water in a wishing well, sand at a beach, and sleeping panhandlers to gather enough loose change to buy one, I believe I can add my two cents, which I took from a take a penny, leave a penny tray at my local convenience store.

At a quick glance, the Hot ’n Spicy McChicken looks very much like a regular McChicken. But a closer examination will show it’s got the same bun, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise, but it’s got a breaded chicken patty with a reddish hue. Its color makes it look a little evil, but if you were to take the shredded lettuce and form a goatee on top of the patty it would look eviler.

Muahaha. Muahaha.

The reddish chicken patty used in the sandwich has a little bit more heat than McDonald’s Spicy McBites, which also had a reddish breading. Unfortunately, the patty’s breading provides no real flavor or crunch.

McDonald's Hot 'n Spicy McChicken Innards

Also, unlike the Spicy McBites, the spicy chicken patty doesn’t have a sauce to give it flavor. It’s stuck with the usual mayonnaise. Not a spicy mayonnaise, mind you, but the same ol’ mayonnaise found on a regular McChicken Sandwich that prevents some of the shredded lettuce from falling out. So it’s just a McChicken with some heat.

The Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken isn’t a new sandwich, it’s been around at limited locations over the past 2-3 years, but during that time they’ve also introduced their wonderful Hot Habanero Sauce. So why couldn’t they combine the two and make a sandwich that’s not only spicy, but also has a flavor that goes beyond a normal McChicken.

Or, if they want the entire frickin’ internet talking about McDonald’s that doesn’t involve pink slime or a drop in revenue, they should come out with a hot and spicy Sriracha McChicken. Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and (insert big internet 2.0 thingie here) would erupt over that.

Overall, McDonald’s Hot ’n Spicy McChicken Sandwich is hot and spicy, but it’s not much else. Some might be fine with that, but after their surprisingly flavorful $1 McDonald’s Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger, I was expecting a bit more.

McDonald's Hot 'n Spicy McChicken Wrapper

(Nutrition Facts – 380 calories, 160 calories from fat, 17 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 1030 milligrams of sodium, 41 grams of carbohydrates, 22 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and 15 grams of protein.)

Other McDonald’s Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken reviews:
Grub Grade
An Immovable Feast

Item: McDonald’s Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken Sandwich
Purchased Price: $1.00
Size: N/A
Purchased at: McDonald’s
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: It’s just one dollar. Nice heat. Great if you’re bored of eating regular McChicken sandwiches. Mayo helps keep lettuce from falling out. A Sriracha McChicken.
Cons: Breading doesn’t provide much flavor or crunch. Has just plain ol’ mayo. Reddish breading makes it look evil. Having to search for enough loose change to buy a Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken sandwich.

24 thoughts to “REVIEW: McDonald’s Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken Sandwich”

  1. I remembered really liking it so I went back to check out my write-up… I was on vacation and drunk. I should try it again.

  2. I remember getting these in college (circa 2004-2005) but that was in Texas so maybe they only sold them regionally back then. Also, “Reddish breading makes it look evil” made me spit out my coffee, love you blog! 🙂

  3. they’ve had these in arizona for at least 10 years now – definitely a regional thing. i love them, haha. so bad for you.

  4. Reviewing this is rather moot considering it’s merely a modification of the McChicken. But now I wanna try it just to say that I’ve had it.

  5. This is actually a pretty tasty sandwhich for the price, what’s more, you can have them add tomato and mustard and boom! it’s a real bargin. I like these little things, and was glad to see Mcdonalds add them to their menu on a permanent basis.

    1. Adding tomato costs .50. Learned the hard way my trying to make my McDouble and Daily Double without actually asking for the Daily Double.

  6. I tried the hot ‘n spicy when I was in huntsville, al and remember liking it. but now that i think about it, I was drunk too. Actually, now that I think about it, I sung “All Gold Everything” to the guy in the drive-thru and he gave me the food for free so maybe that’s why it was good.

  7. yeah, maybe it was just me but I thought the chicken patty was dry and lacked any heat. not a very good sandwich. So honestly idk if i’d ever try it again.

  8. Just had my first one today. My little island is obviously behind because this is a new item this week. I miss the Cajun McChicken McDonald’s had years ago and was confused as to the boring name change, but excited it was back. Much to my dismay it is VERY different from the Cajun McChicken. The Cajun was WAY better. This “hot & spicy” one is pretty lame. Just bring back the Cajun and all will be well. I also think it should be illegal, “false advertising”, for any business to show commercials of their food…and then be able to serve you something that looks completely different! If their commercials looked like the real food you get…..they wouldn’t be in business! Shame!

    1. I absolutely miss the Cajun McChicken. The breading was perfect. Can’t imagine why they got rid of it.

  9. I have yet to find a fast food spicy that was truly spicy. The volcano nachos at Taco Bell come close I guess.

  10. So you only tried one? I get these all the time ($4.50 for two, a medium drink, and fries) for lunch and they are very very crispy at the location i get them from

  11. Last time I ordered a “McChicken” they instead served me a spicy chicken sandwich unbeknownst to me. I knew instantly something was wrong as I opened the package and saw this red breaded chicken patty. It was horrible and I felt tricked, nothing like a McChicken. Total trash food, WHY??? WHY??? I just wanted a regular, real McChicken sandwich. Nothing fancy, just mayo and lettuce to go along with that great tasting McChicken! sandwich for 99c. I had flashbacks as I saw that “hot and spicy “McChicken” sandwich” commercial, I was never warned and I was served a counterfeit.

  12. strange how they serve different foods in different regions. In houston They only serve Hot & Spicy Mcchickens, No regular mcchickens. And theyve been doing that for about 20 years.

    I remember going to seattle and I ordered a Mcchicken and it tasted like crap. the patty tasted like something you buy in the frozen food section at Walmart.

    The Hot and Spicy Patty in houston are pretty good. They taste like a really big chicken nugget, just with a little bit of heat.

    Hopefully they will fix that where ever you live…

  13. I’ve had these a few times already and always buy two. For the price it’s ok, but I doubt there’s much health benefit unless you’re starving. I’d say too salty more than too spicy. Can’t say I like the mayo and the lettuce tasted off or spoiled. I do like just the regular Angus over many other burgers even if it’s cooled off a little taking it home. I always ask for the fish fresh, not from the tray warm and soggy. Now I’ve tried the BK turkey burger and would have them again even though they could be a little bigger.The size of the Whopper would be great. thanks

  14. I literally just discovered this last night drunk after watching Iron Man 3, which btw was highly disappointing…. Been loving Mcchickens since high school, but SPICY? heaven sent. Although that sodium intake makes me think thrice. hmph.

  15. our local stores just quit carrying these after having them for a few months. i loved them and now they are gone. 🙁

  16. love Hot N’ Spicy chicken sandwiches. A staple in New Mexico where I live, but in West Texas where I work, they don’t carry Hot N’ Spicy.

  17. Why don’t The Mc Donalds in West Texas Carry the Hatch Green Chili Hamburger. Most of all the McDonalds in New Mexico have been carrying it since about 10 years. The Items down here in Texas just don’t compare.

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