A small piece of chicken, typically coated in breadcrumbs or batter and deep-fried, a number of which are usually eaten with accompaniments as a dish or snack; usually in plural.
Origin
1970s; earliest use found in Jackson (Mississippi) Telephone Directory.
Definition of chicken nugget in US English:
chicken nugget
noun
A small piece of chicken, typically coated in breadcrumbs or batter and deep-fried, a number of which are usually eaten with accompaniments as a dish or snack; usually in plural.
Origin
1970s; earliest use found in Jackson (Mississippi) Telephone Directory.