McDonald's introduced Chicken McNuggets as a national menu brand in 1983.
The product had been developed earlier and tested in selected markets before its nationwide introduction. McDonald's branding gave the bite-sized chicken pieces a distinctive name rather than presenting them simply as another fried chicken item.
Chicken McNuggets expanded McDonald's menu beyond its hamburger-centered identity and became one of the company's most recognizable branded products. Their shape, dipping sauces, packaging, and advertising all supported a consistent product identity.
A frequent mix-up is the product's development date versus its national launch date. McNuggets were created and tested before 1983, but 1983 is the key year associated with their national introduction in the United States.