Which McDonald's menu item became the centerpiece of the 1983 “McNuggets” advertising campaign?

Chicken McNuggets became the centerpiece of McDonald's 1983 “McNuggets” advertising campaign.

McDonald's introduced Chicken McNuggets nationally in the United States in 1983 after earlier regional testing. The bite-sized, breaded chicken pieces expanded the brand's identity beyond hamburgers and fries while fitting the restaurant's emphasis on quick, portable food.

The product name is sometimes shortened to “McNuggets,” but Chicken McNuggets is the formal menu name. It is also distinct from the McChicken, which is a chicken sandwich rather than a bite-sized product.

Chicken McNuggets became one of McDonald's most recognizable branded menu items. Their shape, dipping sauces, and child-oriented marketing helped make them a major part of the company's product branding during the 1980s.