nugget
/ˈnaɡet/masculine
The Spanish term for chicken nugget is nugget.
This term refers to a piece of chicken in batter.
Meaning: piece of chicken in batter (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, especially in Mexico, the term nugget de pollo empanizado is used to mean breaded chicken nugget.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an 's' to the English loanword 'nugget' rather than changing the Spanish word 'pollo', resulting in nuggets de pollo.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnaɡet/
Did you know?
- If you are in a high-end restaurant in Spain, you are more likely to find croquetas de pollo which, while similar in shape, use a thick béchamel sauce instead of a simple batter.
- In some Latin American regions, these are jokingly referred to as pollitos when served to children. This uses the diminutive to make the food sound cuter or smaller.
- The English word 'nugget' entered Spanish directly via globalized fast-food chains, bypassing the usual process of phonetic adaptation to Spanish spelling.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría pedir unos nuggets de pollo, por favor.I would like to order some chicken nuggets, please.
- ¡Estos nuggets de pollo están de rechupete!These chicken nuggets are delicious!
- Quiero un nugget de pollo.I want a chicken nugget.
- Este nugget está muy crujiente.This nugget is very crunchy.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are ordering food at a fast food restaurant.
- DanielMaría, ¿qué quieres comer hoy?María, what do you want to eat today?
- MaríaMe gustaría un menú de nugget de pollo.I would like a chicken nugget meal.
- DanielYo también pediré nuggets.I will order nuggets too.
- MaríaPerfecto, pidamos diez para compartir.Perfect, let's order ten to share.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chicken nugget” translations and entries nugget, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nugget, CC BY-SA 4.0.
