FOOD NEWS
Before McNuggets, McDonald's Tested Deep-Fried Chicken Pot Pie
By C.A. Pinkham
Although Mcdonald's began as a burger restaurant, the chain is renowned for its McNuggets, but the popular item wasn't the company's first choice for a chicken dish.
During the 1970s, red meat became less popular due to its environmental impact. Prices were rising, and dietary restrictions also recommended less red meat.
In response, McDonald's wanted to provide a chicken option to customers, and the company's first idea was a deep-fried chicken pot pie.
However, the product failed to take off in testing. Instead, McDonald's executive chef Rene Arend created McNuggets in 1979, and the dish was available nationwide by 1983.
While a deep-fried chicken pot pie never appeared on American menus, Singapore debuted the product in 2018. However, it seems to have disappeared from the online menu.