Chicken McNuggets were introduced by McDonald's in 1983 and became a major part of the chain's chicken branding. The bite-sized pieces were designed for consistent preparation, easy sharing, and dipping-sauce use.
McDonald's had tested chicken products before the national launch, and the McNuggets name gave the product a distinctive place within the company's “Mc” naming system. Their shape, packaging, and sauces also made them especially suitable for children's meals and promotional tie-ins.
The McChicken is a separate sandwich, while Chicken Selects and McCrispy are later or market-specific chicken products. Those names can lead to mix-ups when discussing McDonald's chicken history. The 1983 introduction is the key milestone for Chicken McNuggets as a lasting global brand.