5 High-Protein Meals To Order From McDonald's

Supersizing everything seems to be fading as the big selling point, giving way to the era of protein-maxxing. High-protein diets have been getting plenty of attention lately, and according to the International Food Information Council's 2025 survey, 70% of Americans said they were trying to consume more protein. Fast-food chains are hardly missing the memo, and many are increasingly highlighting protein-rich options on their menus, as we recently covered in our guide to high-protein fast-food menu items. McDonald's has also been paying attention to the protein craze. According to Fortune, the fast-food giant has a growth plan in the works called McDonald's Next, which will include an increased focus on health and macros. Potential additions include grilled chicken wraps and bowls, egg bites, and crispy chicken bowls.

But longtime fans of the Golden Arches know there's no need to wait for the chain to amp up its menu with new protein-focused items. There are already several options that deliver a generous amount of protein, which goes a long way towards meeting daily goals. The recommended daily protein intake for the average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, while those who exercise regularly may need between 1.4 and 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight.

While McDonald's currently doesn't offer grilled chicken on its U.S. menu, its beef burgers and crispy chicken options can still provide a substantial protein serving. Plus, if you get them in a meal, you'll add 5 grams of protein from the medium French fries.

When one beef patty just doesn't cut it, McDonald's brings in reinforcements. The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese doubles up on the protein with two quarter-pound patties (weighed before cooking), two slices of American cheese, pickles, slivered onions, ketchup, and mustard. It comes with 48 grams of protein and 740 calories overall, which makes it a substantial option. In an old discussion on Reddit's r/Fitness thread, one user called it a "quite [impressive] amount of protein for fast junk food."

While it's a great choice for anyone looking to add more of the muscle-building nutrient to their diet, the burger is quite heavy on fat with a total of 42 grams, which makes a sizeable dent in the daily recommended amount; 20 to 35% of daily calories should come from total fat, and only 10% should come from saturated fat. So this is a burger best enjoyed with some consideration for the rest of your day's intake. If you'd like to cut back on calories and carbs, ordering it without the sesame seed bun is one way to do so.

Who says you need a burger to get a decent protein boost at McDonald's? The 4-piece McCrispy Strips are made with all-white-meat chicken coated in crispy, black pepper-seasoned breading, and deliver 41 grams of protein for 530 calories. They're also a little more forgiving on the fat macro than the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, having 26 grams compared with 42 grams in the burger. Fitness-minded Reddit users have also praised the McCrispy Strips as a solid option. One gym-goer described them as their go-to when craving McDonald's, appreciating the protein they provide while keeping an eye on their macros.  

If you want to keep it low-cal, you'll probably need to resist the temptation to drown the strips in dipping sauce. McDonald's recommends its Creamy Chili Dip with the strips, with one serving of the sauce adding around 110 calories and 0 grams of protein. 

You don't necessarily have to stick to the menu as it is to get a more protein-focused meal. The fast-food giant allows for customization, and there are many options to give your McDonald's burger a protein boost. TikTok creator Benji Xavier, who says he lost 100 pounds by eating healthier, shared his go-to low-calorie, high-protein McDonald's combination. 

Xavier, who sticks to a budget, orders a Deluxe McCrispy minus the bun and cheese, and replaces the ingredients high in carbs and fat with extra tomato, pickles, and lettuce instead. That brings the 530-calorie chicken sandwich down to 290 calories, turning it into something like a salad with 26 grams of protein. For additional protein, the content creator adds a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets order, which contributes another 9 grams of protein for 170 calories. Xavier's complete order comes to 460 calories and 35 grams of protein and costs less than $10.

A true McDonald's classic, Chicken McNuggets might not be everyone's favorite, with the late chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain famously hating them with a passion. But if you're looking for a convenient way to get more protein from a fast-food meal, the 20-piece box might be worth considering. It contains 46 grams of protein and 830 calories, with most of the protein coming from the chicken used to make the nuggets. The crispy coating adds to the calorie count, but the chicken still makes this a surprisingly protein-rich order. If you want to keep the meal high in protein while keeping calories in check, you can try Benji Xavier's hack and add the nuggets to a salad.

Fitness enthusiasts have also highlighted McNuggets as a convenient source of protein for muscle building. In an r/workout discussion about whether a 20-piece box is a good option for building muscle, one Reddit user noted: "Do I recommend this route? No. Will they provide Protein, fats, carbs, yes."

If you find the Double Quarter Pounder a bit over the top but still want a protein-heavy item, you can turn to the regular Quarter Pounder with Cheese for a lighter way to get your beef fix. Made with a fresh quarter-pound beef patty, a slice of American cheese, pickles, slivered onions, ketchup, and mustard, the burger comes on a sesame seed bun and provides 30 grams of protein for 520 calories.

Compared with the Double Quarter Pounder, you're getting 18 grams less protein but saving 220 calories, which is a reasonable trade-off if you're not trying to maximize protein in a single meal and would rather leave some room for a side like medium French fries, which provide another 5 grams of protein. You can still enjoy a classic McDonald's combo without making the burger the biggest part of your meal, while leaving room for a drink or another snack later.