Which McDonald’s product was introduced in 1983 as the chain’s first major chicken-nugget item?

Chicken McNuggets were introduced by McDonald’s in 1983 as its first major chicken-nugget item.

The bite-sized, breaded chicken pieces gave McDonald’s a highly recognizable product outside its hamburger range. Their uniform shapes, dipping sauces, and box presentation also created a strong visual identity for advertising and packaging.

McDonald’s had tested and sold other chicken products before and after the launch, but Chicken McNuggets became the chain’s signature nugget brand. The product was developed with food scientists and chefs, including René Arend, who worked on the recipe.

The name is sometimes confused with McChicken, which is a sandwich rather than a nugget product. Chicken Selects and McCrispy are also separate menu names introduced later or used in particular markets.