Key Takeaways
- Early 1980s: Chick-fil-A® customers asked Operators to serve bite-sized portions of the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich by hand or for parties.
- 1982–1989: Nuggets officially joined the menu as a six-count option, then grew into a shareable favorite with the launch of Nugget party trays.
- 2004–2018: The Nugget legacy expanded through Chick-n-Minis®, Grilled Nuggets and the 30-count option.
Where do chicken nuggets come from, specifically Chick-fil-A® Nuggets? For our tiny, delightful heroes, the story is so much more than that. The history of Chick-fil-A® Nuggets starts with a simple customer craving and turns into a bite-sized story of menu innovation. From inspiring favorite sauces to making get-togethers a little tastier, Nuggets have a long history of sparking big ideas.
So how did the Chick-fil-A® Nugget come to be? Here’s the scoop on the origins of one of Chick-fil-A’s most beloved menu staples.
It began with a small request
The story of Chick-fil-A® Nuggets began in the early 1980s, almost twenty years after S. Truett Cathy first created the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich.
Customers loved the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich so much that they began asking restaurant Operators to cut bite-sized portions they could eat by hand or serve at parties. The trend gained momentum, and in 1982, Chick-fil-A introduced Chick-fil-A® Nuggets as a six-count menu option.
And today, the original idea remains the same: delicious, bite-sized pieces of 100% whole-breast chicken, freshly breaded and cooked until golden.
A dip-worthy invention
By 1984, it was clear customers loved Nuggets, but they wanted a flavor boost. That’s when Chick-fil-A introduced Honey Mustard, Barbeque and Polynesian sauces, three modern-day favorites. The iconic Chick-fil-A® Sauce followed in 2006.
As Nugget demand grew, so did the need to share the Nugget love. Chick-fil-A® Nugget Trays were introduced in 1989, and a 30-count Nugget option was added to the menu in 2018 for customers to share.
The best way to enjoy Chick-fil-A® Nuggets
Chick-fil-A® Nuggets aren’t just for lunch and dinner. Whether served warm in a tray, tucked into a breakfast favorite or enjoyed grilled, there are plenty of ways to make this small menu item part of the moment.
A breakfast worth waking up for
Joining the crew in 2004, Chick-fil-A® Chick-n-Minis® feature bite-sized Chick-fil-A® Nuggets nestled in warm, mini yeast rolls that are lightly brushed with honey butter spread.
A fresh way to top a salad
Nuggets don’t have to stay in the box. Add Chick-fil-A® Nuggets to a Cobb Salad for a lunch with crisp greens, a hard-boiled egg and shredded cheeses.
Any time of day, breaded or grilled
In 2014, Grilled Nuggets were added to the main menu for a tender, juicy, backyard-smoky take on our Nuggets. Sometimes the best way to enjoy a Chick-fil-A® Nugget is breaded, and sometimes it’s grilled.
With your next big group
When the guest list gets longer, you know what to do. Order Chick-fil-A® Nugget Trays to make it easy to bring bite-sized goodness to office parties, birthday parties, team lunches, family get-togethers and just-because celebrations. Get a Chick-fil-A ® Nugget Tray delivered with Chick-fil-A® Catering along with a lineup of favorite sauces and give everyone a reason to gather around.
Small bites, big legacy
Thanks to a few customer cravings and a little menu magic, the Chick-fil-A® Nugget became something all its own. Not so bad for a small request that started back in the 1980s.
Take part in this delicious legacy. Order Chick-fil-A® Nuggets today.
Other Chick-fil-A® Nugget Frequently Asked Questions
Which sauce goes best with Chick-fil-A® Nuggets?
That depends on the kind of dipper you are. Some sauces have been Nugget companions from the start, while others bring a little more heat or creaminess to the mix. Here are a few fan favorites worth a dip:
- Chick-fil-A® Sauce: a creamy blend with hints of mustard and smoky tang; a longtime fan favorite
- Honey Mustard: tangy-sweet and one of the original Nugget companions
- Barbeque: smoky, sweet and classic
- Polynesian: sweet and savory with a little zing
- Garden Herb Ranch: cool, creamy and herby
- Zesty Buffalo: for dippers who like a little kick
- Sweet & Spicy Sriracha: sweet up front with a spicy finish
There really is no wrong answer here, especially if you like mixing sauces and inventing your own little Nugget creations. Explore the sauces for yourself. Or bring home the dipping fun with our Chick-fil-A® Sauce Bottles.
What oil are Chick-fil-A® Nuggets cooked in?
Chick-fil-A® Nuggets are freshly breaded and pressure-cooked in 100% refined peanut oil, creating that crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside bite customers know and love. Guests with food allergies or dietary questions should always review Chick-fil-A’s nutrition and allergen information before ordering.
How can I get creative with Chick-fil-A® Nuggets?
Think beyond the box. Chick-fil-A® Nuggets can be the start of a full-on meal moment, from Chick-fil-A® Nuggets Fried Rice and Sweet & Sour Chick-fil-A® Nuggets to Chicken Enchiladas and Chick-fil-A® Nugget Nachos.
Check out the recipes page for more inspiration.
What’s in the seasoning?
The exact seasoning blend is part of the magic, but every Chick-fil-A® Nugget starts with bite-sized pieces of chicken breast that are seasoned, freshly breaded and cooked until golden. For the most current ingredient details, guests can check Chick-fil-A’s nutrition and allergen information.
What sizes do Chick-fil-A® Nuggets come in?
The exact seasoning blend is part of the magic, but every Chick-fil-A® Nugget starts with bite-sized pieces of chicken breast that are seasoned, freshly breaded and cooked until golden. For the most current ingredient details, guests can check Chick-fil-A’s nutrition and allergen information.
As we said, it all started with a six-count. Today, Chick-fil-A® Nuggets come in several sizes, whether you’re ordering for yourself, feeding kid-sized appetites or bringing the Nugget love to a bigger group. Here are our current Chick-fil-A® Nugget sizes:
- 8-count Chick-fil-A® Nuggets
- 12-count Chick-fil-A® Nuggets
- 30-count Chick-fil-A® Nuggets
- 5-count Nuggets Kid’s Meal
We also have Chick-fil-A® Nugget Trays that offer the following counts:
- Small tray – 64 nuggets (serves 8)
- Medium tray – 120 nuggets (serves 15)
- Large tray – 200 nuggets (serves 20)
Can I get Chick-fil-A® Nuggets catered?
Yep. Chick-fil-A® Nuggets (hot and chilled) are available as catering trays so you can easily share the love at parties, meetings, celebrations or any get-together. Order Chick-fil-A® Catering when the occasion calls for even more Nugget goodness.
How do Chick-fil-A® Nuggets compare to the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Nuggets and Chick-n-Strips™?
While all four menu items are made with chicken breast, each offers a different eating experience. The original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich started it all with a boneless chicken breast filet served on a toasted, buttery bun. Chick-fil-A® Nuggets are bite-sized pieces of seasoned, breaded boneless chicken breast inspired by that original favorite. Grilled Nuggets are made from marinated (non-breaded) chicken breast, while Chick-n-Strips™ are boneless chicken tenders seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded and cooked to deliver a more substantial chicken tender experience.
Where do Chick-fil-A® Nuggets fall in chicken nugget history?
Chicken nuggets became wildly popular in the late 70s and took off in the early 80s. Chick-fil-A® was an early mover in the nugget space, introducing its whole-breast Nuggets in 1982, right as bite-sized chicken was taking off nationwide.
