What in the fast-food industry has come to be known as the “chicken wars” dates back to 2019, when Popeyes first launched its viral fried chicken sandwich. But even today, the wave of chicken products chains introduce to outdo their competitors continues to ride high.
Chicken sales across major fast-food players generated more than $63.7 billion USD in cross-industry sales last year. Despite small month-to-month drops since the start of 2026, chicken sales remain a significant segment of the market.
And just when it feels like chains couldn’t possibly surprise their customers with any new iterations of chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, or chicken nuggets, an oldie that was eventually removed from menus makes a comeback.
McDonald’s bringing back Spicy Chicken McNuggets in September 2026
This week, several watchdog sites broke the news that McDonald’s will return Spicy Chicken McNuggets two years after last removing them from the menu, Nation’s Restaurant News confirmed.
First launched in the fall of 2020 during the height of the industry-wide “spicy version of a popular dish” craze, this product was the first variation of one of the Golden Arches’ most iconic products since the regular McNugget was introduced in 1983.
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The spicy version was brought back for short periods of time in 2021, 2023, and 2024, Restaurant Business noted, but to maintain the hype and viral nature of the popular item, McDonald’s always treated it as a seasonal offering.
This time, the Spicy McNuggets will hit McDonald’s menus on Sept. 1 across all stores in the U.S. in sizes of six, 10, 20, and 40 pieces.
The coating is a mix of tempura batter seasoned with cayenne and chili pepper. And for the first time since the nuggets first launched in 2020, McDonald’s is also bringing back the accompanying Mighty Hot Sauce (a blend of crushed chili peppers with a sweet touch).
McDonald's
Where and when can I get the Spicy Chicken McNuggets this year?
Beyond confirming that the McNuggets would return once the news had leaked, McDonald’s did not provide information on why they are returning now.
It is not currently known how long Spicy McNuggets will remain on the menu, but as has happened every time they are brought back, they will eventually be swapped out for other seasonal products.
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This strategy is used by every major fast-food chain to help generate hype around products to which customers can otherwise grow accustomed.
“We’ve heard your cries for Spicy Chicken McNuggets, so we decided to introduce the first new flavor of our classic Chicken McNuggets for the first time ever in the U.S.,” McDonald’s said in a press release when the spicy nuggets were first introduced in September 2020.
This time, the chain said, “Spicy Chicken McNuggets are back for a limited time with a spicy breading that adds a real kick to the fan favorite Chicken McNuggets.”
While the kick is definitely there, “spicy” versions of items at mainstream chains like McDonald’s need to be palatable to a general customer base and so rarely offer the intense heat that true spice lovers may be looking for.
