Where Have All the Chicken Nuggets Gone?

Many of us have a soft spot in our hearts for chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets that are breaded and fried are a favorite childhood food, a go-to fast food order, and a reliable easy dinner choice. But lately, chicken nuggets seem harder to come by. There aren’t many nuggets on menus or in freezers across the country because of supply chain problems and shortages.

A Shortage of Chicken Nuggets

In the last year or so, restaurants like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Chick-fil-A have all reported chicken nugget shortages. For periods of time, some locations have had to stop selling nuggets entirely due to lack of supply. Even grocery stores have sparse freezer sections where chicken nuggets and tenders used to be plentifully stocked.

Several factors have contributed to the great chicken nugget shortage of 2022:

• Supply chain issues – Problems like production delays, shipping container shortages, and lack of truck drivers have made it harder to get food from farm to table. This affects the entire supply chain for chicken nuggets.

• High demand—Chicken is still more popular and in demand than beef or pork. A lot of people like nuggets because they are easy, cheap, and taste good. High demand places strain on supply.

• Labor shortages – From chicken processing plants to truck drivers to fast food employees, labor shortages due to COVID-19, immigration policies, and other economic factors have impacted availability.

• Russia’s war in Ukraine – Ukraine is a major exporter of grain that is used for chicken feed. The war has caused global price spikes and shortages of chicken feed ingredients.

• Avian flu outbreaks – Recent avian influenza outbreaks have led to the culling of millions of egg-laying hens in the U.S. Egg shortages indirectly impact the supply of eggs used for breading chicken nuggets.

The Hunt for Chicken Nuggets

For chicken nugget lovers, the shortage has led to a desperate hunt for our beloved bites of breaded chicken. Frustrated fast food customers pull up to drive-thrus only to be informed that chicken nuggets are currently unavailable. Disappointed grocery shoppers scour empty freezer sections in hopes a stray bag of nuggets might appear.

Some have turned to the secondary market, paying marked-up prices for chicken nuggets and tenders online. A ironic song called “Where’s My Chicky Nuggies Gone?” captures the melancholy of a world with too few chicken nuggets. Memes about the shortage have spread widely on social media, with many lamenting the disappearance of their favorite food.

The nugget shortage has forced some to seek substitutes like chicken patties, strips, or popcorn chicken. However, as any true nugget connoisseur knows, these alternatives simply do not measure up to the real deal. The unique combo of a crispy breaded exterior and tender, bite-sized chicken interior cannot be replicated.

Coping Without Chicken Nuggets

Until the supply chain recovers and chicken nugget inventories are replenished, we must learn to cope in a world with limited access to this iconic comfort food. Here are a few tips:

• Seek out smaller independent restaurants that may still have nuggets available rather than large chains.

• You probably already have the things you need to make homemade chicken nuggets. Look up breaded chicken nugget recipes online.

• Expand your horizons and try other appetizing chicken products like wings, chicken sandwiches, or chicken tenders.

• Get creative with boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bitesize pieces then breaded and baked.

• When you find a store or restaurant that has nuggets in stock, stock up. Freeze extra bags or servings for when another shortage strikes.

• Come up with tasty dipping sauces from things like honey mustard, bbq sauce, ranch, etc to satisfy cravings.

A Future Filled with Nuggets

This too shall pass. The chicken nugget shortage is unfortunate but temporary. Supply will catch up with demand once again and nuggets will be back in abundance before we know it. Chicken nugget producers are ramping up efforts to increase supplies and get this staple food back in the hands and mouths of the people.

In the meantime, be patient, be creative, and remember that the hardships we face today will make the chicken nuggets of tomorrow taste even sweeter. Stay strong nugget lovers, and hold onto hope for a future filled with crispy breaded chicken goodness once again. The nugget shall prevail!