Where do chicken nuggets originate from?

* The Early Days: The concept of breaded, fried chicken pieces has been around for a long time. Consider chicken fried steak, chicken cordon bleu, and various forms of breaded chicken.

* McDonalds and the "Chicken McNugget": While not the first to create a breaded, bite-sized chicken piece, McDonalds is widely credited with popularizing the "chicken nugget" as we know it.

* In 1979, McDonalds introduced the "Chicken McNugget" in the United States.

* They were inspired by a similar product called "Chicken George" sold at a competitor, Burger King.

* The Recipe: The exact recipe for the original McNugget is a closely guarded secret, but it's known to involve mechanically separated chicken, spices, and a breading process.

So, while the origin of the idea isn't clear, McDonalds' Chicken McNugget is generally considered the key moment in the "chicken nugget" becoming a globally recognized food item.