According to the company, the invention was a “happy accident” when former executive chef René Arend was testing onion nuggets

NEED TO KNOW

• Former executive chef René Arend was initially developing onion nuggets before chairman Fred Turner suggested chicken
• A specialized team refined the breading, tested the product and developed technology for its nationwide launch
• McNuggets arrived on U.S. menus in 1983 with four dipping sauces and three order sizes

Chicken McNuggets have long been a staple at McDonald’s — but they could’ve been very different.

According to the company, their invention was a “happy accident” that took place at its headquarters in 1979. At the time, the Golden Arches’ former executive chef René Arend was testing recipes for onion nuggets.

“In a passing conversation in 1979, Chairman Fred Turner suggested Arend ditch onions and start working with chicken instead. Soon after, the Chicken McNugget was born,” the brand explains on its website.

McDonald’s says there was even a “Chicken McNugget SWAT team” who worked on their launch, which included Gorton’s Bud Sweeney, who had previously worked on the Filet-O-Fish’s development.

Sweeney put together a team to “perfect the breading, execute market testing and assemble the necessary technology.”

McNuggets landed on U.S. menus in 1983, with six, nine, and 20-piece orders and four sauces: Honey, Sweet and Sour, Hot Mustard and Barbecue. More than 25 condiments have since been rolled out, such as Green Chili Salsa, Cranberry Orange, Teriyaki and Habanero Ranch. 

McNuggets came to Canada, Japan, France and Germany in 1984, England in 1985 and Poland in 1997. 

The company notes that the current recipe was introduced at the end of 2003.

McDonald’s even created Happy Meal collectibles called McNugget Buddies in 1998, bringing the playful characters back 25 years later.

In 2020, the chain turned up the heat with Spicy Chicken McNuggets, featuring a cayenne tempura coating. It’s since returned for limited-time runs.

According to the company’s website, the Filet-O-Fish’s origins go back even earlier, to 1962.

Franchisee Lou Groen saw a decrease in sales at his Cincinnati, Ohio, restaurant — which was located in a largely Roman Catholic neighborhood — on Fridays.

“With determination and a knack for thoroughness, Groen convinced McDonald’s to test a breaded whitefish sandwich to help satisfy customers who abstained from eating meat on Fridays in observance of Lent,” the company said.

Founder Ray Kroc planned to sell a “Hula Burger,” consisting of grilled pineapple and cheese on a bun, as another meat alternative.

“Kroc made a deal with Groen that they would sell the Hula Burger and the Filet-O-Fish on a Friday, and whichever sandwich sold the most would be added to the permanent menu,” the company says.

 In 1965, the Filet-O-Fish became the first non-hamburger item added to the restaurant’s original menu. 

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