A History of Chicken Nuggets Posted on March 15, 2012

Did you know that chicken nuggets were invented in the 1950s by Robert C. Baker, a food science professor at Cornell University, and published as unpatented academic work. Dr. Baker’s innovations made it possible to form chicken nuggets in any shape.

McDonald’s recipe for Chicken McNuggets was created on commission from McDonald’s by Tyson Foods in 1979 and the product was sold beginning in 1983.

A chicken nugget is a chicken product molded from meat slurry, breaded or battered, then deep-fried or baked.

Fast food restaurants typically fry their nuggets in vegetable oil. The process is fattening, but it also creates a seared seal around the meat that traps moisture. These fried treats used to be considered a healthy alternative to the beef already being offered.

Five Food Finds for Chicken McNuggets