What McDonald's menu item name, introduced in 1983, helped brand the chain's breaded chicken pieces?

Chicken McNuggets is the McDonald’s menu name introduced nationally in 1983 for its breaded chicken pieces.

The product was developed as a bite-sized chicken item that could be prepared and served in a format suited to McDonald’s fast-service system. Its name extended the company’s established “Mc” naming pattern while distinguishing the product from a conventional chicken sandwich.

Chicken McNuggets are sometimes confused with the McChicken, which is a chicken sandwich, or with later regional chicken products. The McNuggets name specifically refers to the small, breaded pieces served with dipping sauces.

Their introduction expanded McDonald’s beyond its hamburger-centered image. The product also became a major part of family marketing because its small portions, dipping sauces, and later meal combinations appealed to children and adults alike.