What McDonald’s product name was trademarked in 1983 for bite-sized pieces of breaded chicken?

Chicken McNuggets was the McDonald’s product name trademarked in 1983 for bite-sized pieces of breaded chicken.

McDonald’s developed the product to make chicken convenient to eat and appealing to children and families. The pieces are formed from chicken, coated in breading, and cooked before being served with dipping sauces. Their small size and finger-food format distinguished them from the company’s chicken sandwich.

The product was developed with help from food scientists, including René Arend, and became a major part of McDonald’s menu after its rollout. Chicken McNuggets also created an important platform for sauce-based marketing, since customers could choose among dipping options.

The word “McNuggets” is a branded product name, not a generic description of all breaded chicken pieces. They are also distinct from the McChicken, which is served as a sandwich. Shapes and recipes can vary by market, but the core product identity remains recognizable.