McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Calories and Ingredients
One serving of 6 Chicken McNuggets® has 250 calories. The famous tender and juicy side dish is made from all white chicken meat. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. You can choose from a variety of dipping sauces, including Tangy Barbecue, Creamy Ranch, or Honey Mustard, among others.
Calories may vary depending on choice of dipping sauce and amount consumed.
Read this post for a detailed overview of the nutrition facts, ingredients, and allergens in the McNuggets from McDonald’s restaurant.
Chicken McNuggets Nutrition
Calories in One Serving
A six piece order of McNuggets contains 250 calories. Most of the calories are derived from fat. Specifically, there are 15 grams of fat, which contributes 54% of the total calories. Carbs makes up 24% of the total, and the remaining calories are from protein.
- Fat: 135 calories
- Carbs: 60 calories
- Protein: 55 calories
- Total: 250 calories
The caloric breakout by nutrient is a rounded estimate based on the nutrition facts label sourced from the restaurant. Calories may vary by location, as a result of how it’s prepared, or due to topping choices.
Cholesterol
Take note note of the cholesterol and sodium content in an order of Chicken McNuggets. One serving (6 pieces) contains 40 milligrams of cholesterol, which is about 13% of the total recommended daily value.
Sodium
In addition, there are 500 milligrams of sodium in a six piece serving. That’s nearly 100 milligrams of sodium per nugget. To put it into context, one order of six pieces contains over 20% of the daily value recommended by the FDA. I would consider that to be a significant amount of sodium in a single menu item.
Nutrition Facts
Ingredients and Allergens
List of Ingredients
Here is the list of ingredients used to make McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.
White Boneless Chicken, Water, Vegetable Oil (canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil), Enriched Flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Bleached Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Vegetable Starch (modified corn, wheat, rice, pea, corn), Salt, Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), Spices, Yeast Extract, Lemon Juice Solids, Dextrose, Natural Flavors.
What is Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate?
Sodium Acid Pryophosphate (sometimes referred to as SAPP) is an inorganic water-soluble compound comprised of sodium cations and pyrophosphate anion. The raw material in phosphates is phosphoric acid. SAPP is created through a manufactured process of neutralizing phosphoric acid with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. The result is monosodium phosphate. Dehydrated monosodium phosphate is SAPP.
It is commonly used in the food industry as a leavening acid in breads and other baked goods. The additive produces gas and increases the volume of dough. Because of this property, it’s an important additive in self-rising flour and baking powder.
In short, sodium acid pryophosphate is an inorganic compound used as leavening agent and/or to enhance flavor and color.
Other fast food menu items that contain sodium acid pyrophosphate include:
Brief Definitions of Certain Ingredients
Allergens
McDonald’s McNuggets are made with wheat.
Note that the product may also be cooked in a common fryer that is used to prepare other menu items that contain allergens.
Comparison of Fast Food Chicken Nuggets
Here is a table summarizing the nutrition facts of chicken nuggets available at select fast food restaurants. You can use the small arrows in the top row to sort by restaurant, calories, fat, carbohydrates, or protein.
| Restaurant | Menu Item | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King | Chicken Nuggets (4pc) | 190 | 12g | 11g | 9g | 490mg |
| Burger King | Chicken Nuggets (8pc) | 390 | 25g | 23g | 18g | 990mg |
| McDonald's | Chicken McNuggets (6pc) | 250 | 15g | 15g | 14g | 500mg |
| Wendy's | Spicy Chicken Nuggets (4pc) | 190 | 12g | 9g | 10g | 480mg |
| Wendy's | Spicy Chicken Nuggets (6pc) | 280 | 18g | 13g | 15g | 720mg |
| Wendy's | Spicy Chicken Nuggets (10pc) | 470 | 31g | 22g | 26g | 1190mg |
| Shake Shack | Chicken Bites (6pc) | 300 | 19g | 15g | 17g | 780mg |
| Shake Shack | Chicken Bites (10pc) | 510 | 32g | 26g | 29g | 1,300mg |
Nutrition facts and ingredients source: McDonald’s
Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts are based on available information as of the date this article was published and/or updated. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. Our aim is to research commercially processed food and publish articles for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, % Daily Value is based on 2,000 calories per day, but calorie needs vary by individual. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.
