Which McDonald's product first used the brand name “McNuggets” when it launched nationally in 1983?

Chicken McNuggets first used the McDonald’s brand name “McNuggets” when they launched nationally in 1983.

McDonald’s introduced Chicken McNuggets nationwide in the United States after developing the product with food scientists and testing it in selected markets. The bite-sized, breaded chicken pieces gave McDonald’s a highly recognizable menu item that was easy to advertise, share, and pair with dipping sauces.

The “Mc” prefix connected the product directly to McDonald’s branding. It followed earlier branded menu names such as Big Mac and McChicken, but McNuggets became especially influential in children’s marketing, packaging, and later restaurant promotions.

The product is often confused with Chicken Selects, a later chicken-strip product, or with the McChicken sandwich. Neither name refers to the 1983 nationally launched nugget product. McDonald’s has introduced regional variations and limited-time sauces, but the core McNuggets name has remained widely recognizable.