What name did McDonald’s give its chicken-nugget product introduced nationally in 1983?

McDonald’s named its chicken-nugget product Chicken McNuggets when it was introduced nationally in 1983.

The product consists of small pieces of processed chicken coated in batter and fried. McDonald’s developed the nuggets to offer a branded chicken item that fit the chain’s fast-service format and appealed to customers seeking an alternative to hamburgers.

Chicken McNuggets followed test marketing in selected locations before the national rollout. Their distinctive “Mc” naming connected the product directly to McDonald’s established brand language, alongside names such as McDonald’s hamburgers and the Big Mac.

The product is sometimes confused with the McChicken sandwich, which is a separate menu item. Chicken McNuggets are bite-sized pieces rather than a chicken sandwich. The national introduction year, 1983, is also distinct from later changes to recipes, shapes, sauces, and promotional packaging.