Is McDonald’s grilled chicken sandwich coming back? Here’s what to know about healthier menu plans

If you’re trying to eat healthier, finding a quick meal that’s high in protein and still fits your goals isn’t always easy. That can be especially true at fast-food restaurants, where leaner options like grilled chicken and salads can be limited. But McDonald’s may soon give you a few more choices.

McDonald’s plans to bring the grilled chicken sandwich back—and it’s not the only potentially healthier option the chain is considering. As part of ⁠McDonald’s huge overhaul called NEXT, the chain is looking at new menu options with more protein and vegetables.

It probably doesn’t surprise you that GLP-1 medications are one reason why. What may surprise you is that GLP-1s aren’t stopping people from going to the chain. McDonald’s says ⁠84% of households with someone taking a GLP-1 still visit its restaurants. But ⁠research shows that people taking the medications are changing what they order. They order only about 1% fewer items per visit, but they’re more likely to skip sides, snacks, and bread.

They’re also looking for different foods. Research found that ⁠63% of people taking GLP-1s want more vegetables and 55% want more fruit. And protein isn’t just a priority for people taking GLP-1s: ⁠McDonald’s estimates that nearly 60 million Americans are actively trying to eat more of it.

McDonald’s is responding with options that could make it easier to get more protein and vegetables or simply order a smaller meal that better matches your appetite.

So, could these additions make it easier to order a healthier meal at McDonald’s? Here’s what could be coming, what we know about the nutrition so far, and when you might actually see the new options.

3 healthier McDonald’s items that could be coming

McDonald’s hasn’t announced a whole new healthier menu, but it is looking at several options that could give you more ways to get protein, add vegetables, choose a lower-carb option, or go with a smaller meal. Grilled chicken is the furthest along, while bowls, salads, and egg bites are still being explored. Here’s what we know about each.

1. Grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps

Grilled chicken is the big one. ⁠McDonald’s says it’s the #1 item that customers looking for more protein have asked it to bring back.

Grilled chicken was removed from U.S. menus in 2020, but now plans to bring back grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps. It has already tested a Deluxe Grilled Chicken Sandwich and BBQ Bacon Grilled Chicken Sandwich in Chicago.

For people looking for more protein, grilled chicken adds another option without the breading and frying of crispy chicken. How healthy the final sandwiches and wraps are will depend on the toppings and sauces, but it could make it easier to order a lighter, high-protein meal.

2. Protein bowls and salads

Bowls and salads could give you more ways to pair protein with vegetables. ⁠One concept McDonald’s has shown combines crispy chicken with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and ranch, while another is a burger bowl. McDonald’s is also ⁠considering salads topped with McCrispy strips, grilled chicken, or egg bites.

That could make it easier to get more vegetables, skip the bun if you want to, or choose a meal that better matches your appetite. And if grilled chicken is available as a topping, it could provide a particularly simple combination of protein and vegetables.

Of course, what goes into the bowl still matters. Crispy chicken, cheese, ranch, and other toppings can quickly add calories, saturated fat, and sodium.

3. Egg bites

⁠McDonald’s is also exploring egg bites, which could fill a gap on its breakfast menu.

Starbucks and Dunkin’ already offer versions, but most of McDonald’s higher-protein breakfasts come as sandwiches with an English muffin, biscuit, or McGriddles cakes. Egg bites could offer a smaller, protein-focused option without bread.

That could be especially appealing if you’re taking a GLP-1 medication and have a smaller appetite—or simply want a lighter breakfast with some protein. We’ll need to see McDonald’s final ingredients and nutrition information to know how its version stacks up.

When could these new McDonald’s items arrive?

The new options are at different stages, and McDonald’s hasn’t announced nationwide launch dates for all of them. CEO Chris Kempczinski has specifically cautioned that the new items won’t all show up on January 1, calling this a longer-term evolution of the menu.

Grilled chicken appears to be the furthest along. McDonald’s has said grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps are planned for the U.S. and other markets, and ⁠two grilled chicken sandwiches have already been tested at select Chicago restaurants. Bowls, salads, and egg bites are still being explored.

Will these new McDonald’s items be healthier?

More protein, grilled chicken, vegetables, and smaller portions can all make it easier to build a balanced meal, but none automatically makes an item healthy. Here’s what to consider:

• Protein can help with fullness: Protein can help you feel satisfied and is important for maintaining muscle, including during weight loss. But more protein doesn’t automatically make an item healthier overall.
• Grilled can be a lighter option than fried: Skipping breading and frying can reduce calories and fat, though toppings and sauces can change the equation.
• Smaller portions can offer more flexibility: Choosing an amount that matches your appetite can be easier than defaulting to a larger combo, especially if your appetite has changed while taking a GLP-1 medication.
• The whole meal still matters: Calories, saturated fat, sodium, fiber, vegetables, portion size, sauces, sides, and drinks all contribute to the overall nutrition picture.

McDonald’s is already highlighting its higher-protein options

McDonald’s has already taken a first step toward making protein easier to spot.

In April 2026, the chain began adding ⁠protein callout badges to items in its app and restaurant kiosks. The badges display the grams of protein in an item, and McDonald’s says more than 30 menu items contain at least 15 grams.

A protein badge isn’t a health label. It tells you about one nutrient, not the item’s full nutrition profile. If protein is one of your priorities, use the badge as a starting point and then consider calories, saturated fat, sodium, fiber, and the rest of your meal.

Frequently asked questions about McDonald’s new menu items

Is McDonald’s bringing back the grilled chicken sandwich?

Yes, grilled chicken is coming back in some form. McDonald’s plans to introduce grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps in the U.S. and other markets and has already tested two sandwiches in Chicago.

What we don’t know yet is when grilled chicken will be available nationwide or which versions will make the final menu.

When is McDonald’s bringing back grilled chicken?

There isn’t a confirmed nationwide date yet. Testing in Chicago is an encouraging sign that grilled chicken is further along than some of the other foods McDonald’s is considering, but the chain hasn’t announced when it will be available more widely.

Is McDonald’s bringing back salads?

McDonald’s hasn’t announced the return of its old standalone salads, but it is exploring new versions topped with McCrispy strips, grilled chicken, or egg bites.

Is McDonald’s getting egg bites?

McDonald’s is exploring egg bites, but it hasn’t released details about flavors, ingredients, nutrition, or timing yet. They could add a smaller, protein-focused option to a breakfast menu where many of the higher-protein choices currently come as sandwiches.

Will McDonald’s new menu items be healthier?

Some could be. Grilled chicken, more vegetables, and smaller portions could provide potentially healthier options, but the final recipes will matter. Calories, protein, saturated fat, sodium, and fiber will give a clearer picture once McDonald’s releases the nutrition information.

The bottom line: McDonald’s menu could soon offer more flexibility for different types of eaters

Eating McDonald’s doesn’t have to mean choosing between your goals and what’s convenient. Bringing back grilled chicken—and potentially adding more vegetables, protein-focused meals, and smaller options—could make it easier to find something that works for your appetite and preferences.

That doesn’t mean every new item will automatically be a healthier choice. Once the final nutrition information is available, look beyond protein alone and consider things like calories, saturated fat, sodium, fiber, and portion size. Then choose the option that makes sense for you and the rest of your day.

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