Which university developed the chicken nugget prototype later used by fast-food companies?

Cornell University developed the chicken nugget prototype later used by fast-food companies.

Food scientist Robert C. Baker developed an early chicken-nugget product at Cornell University in the 1950s. His work showed how ground or finely processed chicken could be shaped, coated, and fried into a convenient portion.

Baker’s research helped establish techniques for binding chicken meat and keeping a coating attached during cooking. The later commercial success of chicken nuggets built on this broader food-science foundation.

Cornell University’s prototype should not be confused with McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. McDonald’s introduced its own branded product nationally in the 1980s, while Baker’s earlier research was conducted independently at Cornell.