McDonald’s (MCD) didn’t waste any time heating the chicken sandwich wars back up as just days into 2021, the company has plans to add not one but three new chicken sandwiches to its menu.

The fast-food chain will go head-to-head with Chick-fil-A and Popeyes as its eyes that coveted spot among consumers for the favorite chicken sandwich among chain restaurants.

McDonald’s told Reuters it has plans to roll out its crispy chicken sandwich in a “classic,” “deluxe,” and “spicy” version on Feb. 24, featuring a new crispy white meat chicken fillet served with crinkle-cut pickles on a toasted, buttered potato roll.

USA Today said the “spicy” chicken sandwich will have a spicy pepper sauce on it, while the “deluxe” will have shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes, and mayonnaise.

McDonald’s announced in November in a blog post that it would be introducing a new crispy chicken sandwich in 2021, saying at the time it was testing the “spicy” version in some markets.

At that time, McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger told USA Today about the chicken sandwich launch, “We believe it’s going to jump-start our chicken journey, build our chicken credentials and get people to start looking at us differently. We’re excited about the moves we’re making to meet – and exceed – customer expectations for great-tasting chicken. That is how we will start to build our chicken credibility.”

Throughout 2020, McDonald’s has made some bold moves to its menu, enlisting the help of singers Travis Scott and J Balvin to sell combo meals, adding Spicy McNuggets, and introducing pastry items such as blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls.

The company also brought back the McRib after eight years and unveiled the McPlant – a plant-based burger that it is testing in some global markets.

The chicken sandwich, however, has been a hotly contested menu item that has drawn quick consumer demand. In August 2019, Popeyes launched the New Orleans-styled fried chicken sandwich, which fueled a feud on Twitter between chicken competitor Chick-fil-A and drew crowds at the fast-food restaurant.

Shares of McDonald's were trading at $209.57 as of 1:26 p.m. EST, down $5.01, or 2.34%.

McDonald's
A classical singer was enjoying a McChicken sandwich at a McDonald’s outlet in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Monday when she discovered a dead spider in her food. In this photo illustration, a McChicken sandwich sits with typical Dollar Menu items sold at a McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, October 24, 2013. Getty Images/ Scott Olson
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