McDonald’s Unannounced Boneless Chicken Review: Weird But Acceptable Taste

Last Updated on 2018-10-27 , 1:18 pm

There are many unsolved mysteries in this world: Who built the pyramids? Does Loch Ness monster exist? What lies on the Bermuda Triangle? Why am I so handsome?

And now, we’ve one more mystery that should be sent to Buzzfeed Unsolved: why did McDonald’s Singapore launch the boneless tender chicken thigh in just 12 outlets, and didn’t even announced it online?

And why do they invest in flyers to promote this meal when everyone’s going online?

If you think I’m making this up, here, take a look at the flyer.

Heck, there’s even a Mandarin version on the opposite side.

Origins of the Thighs

We got to know about this through one of our readers, Jonathan Ow (Instagram @johcs), who helpfully tagged us on Instagram.

 

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Sharing Happy Sharing Box C @mcdsg. Though $9.20, but good to try. Not every Macs have. This set with 2 crispy chicken and 6 nuggets can be found at: 1) Parkway Parade 2) Paya Lebar Square 3) Compass One 4) Causeway Point 5) Ang Mo Kio (bought it and found out from here) 6) Waterway Point While the option with 4 mcwings (instead of nuggets) can be found at: 1) Great World City 2) Marina Square 3) Queensway Shopping Centre 4) Bukit Batok 5) Yew Tee MRT (did know it from here first with flyers but not full info about the stores) 6) Lot One @goody.feed you might wanna check it out 😁. Macs did not post this online but this is only in stores only after breakfast hours. Not on McDelivery or any other portals. There is a 2-piece Crispy Chicken meal as well. Hope to spread this info.

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We then asked around if anyone knew about this (because boss say everything also must fact-check) and it turned out that one of us has seen a standee in the McDonald’s outlet next to West Mall, but kept it a secret because he’s just a typical worker who doesn’t want extra work (welcome to Goody Feed).

So, we kicked his balls and got him to dabao for us when we realized it wasn’t in McDelivery (at least from our office, which is also in Bukit Batok).

This afternoon, he came back with the chicken and his resignation letter, but anyways, here’s a review of his resignation letter.

In his letter, he wrote how much he hated the—oh, wait, you’re not interested? You want a review of the chicken instead? Okay, here goes.

First Look

When we see this, everyone goes “wow”.

We expected it to be like KFC’s chicken tenders: long instead of a slab. But no, it looks completely like a McSpicy patty.

According to the flyer, it’s a “mildly spicy boneless tender chicken thigh”.

I checked the McDonald’s website on what parts of chicken it uses for McSpicy, and guess what?

Image: mcdonalds.com.sg

Remember this point because it’s pretty important later in this review.

With a damage of $6.50 à la carte (2-pc) and $7.80 for a meal, it doesn’t come cheap. But giving credit where credit is due it’s quite big too.

The first thing that my colleague said when he held it is this: “Wah, quite heavy leh.”

So in terms of quantity, it’s there. How about its quality?

Taste Test

I won’t want to spoil anything, but it’s apparently quite easy to imagine the taste.

Just imagine you buying a double McSpicy, removing the buns and having the patties by themselves.

I cannot confirm whether they’re indeed mere McSpicy patties but a whole new item altogether, but my taste buds can’t tell the difference.

One thing’s for sure, though: McSpicy is bae to many, so this is actually pretty lit.

It’s crispy on the outside and extremely soft on the inside: in fact, it’s so soft, I thought it’s undercooked (though I know that’s not true). The breaded skin gives a loud crunchy sound with every bite, and beneath the skin is a greasy yet savoury slab of succulent chicken thigh.

The first bite is…curious. In fact, I’ll go on a limb and suggest that it goes well with rice. Then reality sinks in: as I take more bites, it started to feel jaded. And for some reason, the tinge of spiciness is only more pronounced after that.

On my second piece, I thought I’ve enough and have to down more fries to dilute that jaded sensation. Having tried McSpicy numerous times, this jaded feel is new to me.

Perhaps too much of anything is indeed bad.

But on the other hand, after the fries, the slab of chicken becomes a divine goodness again. You see, the chicken itself is good: in fact, very good. It’s just that it can’t stand by itself, or it’ll be too strong.

It’s just like having cai png without rice: the dishes are all extremely favourful as they’re supposed to be eaten together with the bland rice. Having the dishes by themselves would come across as too strong, too.

Is it Worth the Journey (and the price)?

If I were to use a word to describe it, it’ll be “weird”. I cannot confirm whether it’s really McSpicy patties or not, so I’ll say it’s worth a try, especially if you love McSpicy.

Though I won’t have it again.

Rating: 4 out of 5 (primarily because it tastes like McSpicy, the bae of my life)

Selected Outlets with the Crispy Chicken

  • Ang Mo Kio Ave 3
  • Bukit Batok Central (the one next to West Mall)
  • Causeway Point
  • Choa Chu Kang St 62
  • Compass One
  • Great World City
  • Lot One Shoppers’ Mall
  • Marina Square
  • Parkway Centre
  • Paya Lebar Square
  • Queensway Shopping Centre
  • Waterway Point