Which McDonald’s product name, introduced in 1983, branded the chain’s bite-sized chicken pieces?

Chicken McNuggets is the McDonald’s product name introduced in 1983 for its bite-sized chicken pieces.

The product was developed as a standardized, easy-to-eat chicken item that could be served consistently across McDonald’s restaurants. Its molded shapes and branded name helped distinguish it from ordinary fried chicken pieces.

Chicken McNuggets became closely connected with dipping sauces, children’s meals, and later Happy Meal marketing. The product’s name also extended McDonald’s use of the “Mc” prefix to menu branding.

The national launch date is sometimes confused with earlier regional tests. McDonald’s introduced the product nationally in 1983, after development and testing had already taken place.