McDonald’s introduced Chicken McNuggets nationwide in the United States in 1983.
McNuggets had been tested in selected markets before the national launch. The product consists of processed chicken formed into small pieces, coated, and fried. Its standardized shapes and distinctive name made it both a menu product and a major element of McDonald’s product branding.
The item was developed after McDonald’s sought a chicken product that could be prepared consistently in restaurants. Keystone Foods supplied the chicken used for the product, while food scientist Robert C. Baker is often associated with the development of formed chicken products that influenced the broader category.
McNuggets are sometimes dated to their earlier test-market appearances rather than the nationwide launch. The 1983 date refers to their broad United States introduction, which established them as a major McDonald’s branded menu item.