McDonald's launched Chicken McNuggets nationally in the United States in 1983.
The bite-sized breaded chicken pieces had been developed and tested before the nationwide rollout. Their standardized shapes and name gave McDonald's a new product identity that was easy to advertise, order, package, and recognize across the chain.
Chicken McNuggets expanded McDonald's branding beyond its traditional hamburger image. The product became a major part of the menu and developed its own associations with dipping sauces, shareable portions, and family-oriented advertising.
The year is sometimes confused with the product's earlier test-market period. McDonald's introduced McNuggets in selected locations before making them available nationally. The national launch date, 1983, is therefore different from the earlier development and regional testing dates.