McDonald’s first introduced Chicken McNuggets nationally in the United States in 1983.
Chicken McNuggets were developed as a standardized, bite-sized chicken product that could be prepared and served through the McDonald’s restaurant system. Their uniform shapes and branded name made them especially suitable for advertising, children’s meals, packaging, and promotional campaigns.
The product had been tested in selected markets before the national launch. McDonald’s had also offered other chicken products earlier, so the 1983 date refers specifically to the nationwide introduction of Chicken McNuggets rather than the beginning of chicken sales at the chain.
Chicken McNuggets became one of McDonald’s most recognizable branded menu items. Their later association with dipping sauces and Happy Meals helped make them important to the company’s family-oriented identity.