Which McDonald's product became the first item sold under the McNuggets name in 1983?

Chicken McNuggets became the first McDonald's item sold under the McNuggets name in 1983.

McDonald's introduced Chicken McNuggets nationally in 1983 after developing a standardized, bite-sized chicken product. The pieces were shaped for consistent cooking and easy eating, making them well suited to the chain's quick-service format. Their name combined the descriptive food word “chicken” with the branded term “McNuggets.”

The product had an earlier test-market history. McDonald's tested the item in selected markets before the nationwide launch, allowing the company to refine production and supply arrangements. The national introduction helped establish chicken as a major part of McDonald's menu identity alongside hamburgers and french fries.

The McNuggets name should not be confused with McDonald's later Chicken Selects or with the McChicken sandwich. Those are separate branded products. Chicken McNuggets are small breaded chicken pieces, while the McChicken is a sandwich and Chicken Selects were larger strip-style products.