McDonald’s has launched a ‘superb’ new product — but not everyone can try it

McDonald’s is testing out a new menu item (Picture: Getty Images) McDonald’s recently announced several new items would be hitting the UK menu this week. The World Heist 2.0 is getting a surprise second drop, featuring the McExtreme burger from Spain, plus Chicken McWings from China. But it turns out the fast food chain has also introduced another product that’s available to order right now. There is a bit of a catch, though, as not everyone is able to try the mysterious new item – only those in a certain area will be able to get their hands on it. The hand-breaded chicken will be available in select locations on existing items such as the McCrispy (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images) McDonald’s has launched a new pilot scheme in Ireland, testing out hand-breaded chicken. The scheme is running at select locations in Dublin between mid-October and February. As part of this, customers in the area will be able to enjoy hand-breaded versions of existing favourites, including McCrispy products, the Snack Wrap, the Tikka, Sweet Chilli, and BBQ wraps, salads and McCrispy Strips. McDonald’s claims that hand-breading the chicken is a ‘tangible demonstration of food prepared with care’ and the process will ‘deliver crunch, texture, and juiciness’. The chain continued to say that chicken is an area of ‘significant growth opportunity’ for the business and Ireland will play a key role in informing the next phase of McDonald’s chicken journey. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. If the pilot scheme is successful, hand-breaded chicken could be introduced more widely across Europe soon. McDonald’s has previously had success with hand-breading chicken in Asia, where it is offered in more than 10,000 restaurants. The concept is also being tested in restaurants in the US, and customer feedback so far has reportedly been ‘strong’. A closer look at the hand-breading process was recently shared at the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention 2026. Gary He, the author of McAtlas, attended the event and said the hand-breaded chicken stall was ‘popular’ and the chicken itself was ‘superb’. ‘The crunch was unreal, and the spice mix was definitely at a Southeast Asian level,’ he shared in a post on TikTok. McCrispy Sticks will be available to order hand-breaded as part of the trial (Picture: McDonald’s) While many people thought the hand-breading looked ‘delish’, there were some concerns raised by Maccies fans on social media. McDonald’s workers took to the comment section of a similar post by @masseygroupmcdonalds to say their restaurants didn’t have enough staff to do this, and that there also wasn’t enough space to set up a station for it. ‘My tiny cramped a** McDonald’s don’t got space for that,’ wrote one user. Similarly, another shared: ‘Employees are already struggling.’ ‘I don’t even work at McDonald’s, but I do work in fast food, and I’m p***ed off for y’all,’ responded someone else. Others are still upset that McDonald’s removed the grilled chicken option from the menu earlier this year and begged the chain to bring it back. Would you like to see hand-breaded chicken introduced at McDonald's UK? Sign up to Metro's The Slice newsletter for your guide to what's on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways. Tim Kenward, McDonald’s UK and Ireland’s chief marketing officer, added: ‘This is about much more than introducing a new way of preparing chicken. ‘We’re piloting how our restaurants can consistently deliver the taste, quality and visible care that customers increasingly expect, without adding unnecessary complexity for our teams. Deals of the Day See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine Families can save up to 20% on summer 2027 holidays in Club Med's four-day sale Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in ‘Ireland’s strength in chicken makes it the ideal market to help us understand what it takes to deliver this at scale and support our ambition to become the first choice for more customers, more often.’ Full list of McDonald's restaurants in Dublin where you can try the hand-breaded chicken Available now: Belgard Road, Tallaght 50-51 O’Connell Street, O’Connell Bridge Available from October 20: Tallaght Town Centre, Tallaght I/S, Unit 303 The Mill Shopping Centre, Clondalkin Blanchards Town Centre, Dublin Available from November 3: Petit’s Supermarket Arklow Naas Road, Cranley Car Site Available from November 10: Citywest drive-thru, Citywest Shopping Centre 62 Upper O’Connell Street Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: The M&S ‘custard cream controversy’ that’s got social media in a chokehold Arrow MORE: The best October half-term money-saving deals — from restaurants to days out Arrow MORE: The fate of London’s oldest restaurant has been revealed The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.