How to Make Kenny Rogers’s Chicken Salad Recipe

• Kenny Rogers’ chicken salad features Dijon mustard, lemon juice, walnuts and almonds.
• The 1993 recipe is protein-packed and full of nutrient-rich, crunchy ingredients.
• It rivals viral chicken salad recipes from stars like Matthew McConaughey.

If you’re looking for a delicious way to get in some extra protein, use up ingredients in your fridge, and prepare a simple on-the-go lunch, look no further than a good chicken salad recipe. Usually creamy, always flavorful and perfect for making a sandwich or topping a green salad, chicken salad is super versatile and tastes great, which is probably why celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and chain restaurants like Chick-Fil-A all have viral versions of the dish.

The chicken salad that’s been turning our heads lately comes from actor, singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers, who shared his chicken salad recipe with the United Service Organizations (USO) via the 1993 edition of the USO Celebrity Cookbook. Chicken Salad à la Rogers is a creamy chicken salad intended to be served over a bed of lettuce, but The Gambler’s recipe would also be perfect in a sandwich or served with crackers.

Abbey Littlejohn

The recipe is unusual in its inclusion of two types of nuts, scallions and Dijon mustard. To make it, gather two pounds of poached, shredded chicken, three peeled-and-chopped dill pickles, ½ cup each of chopped walnuts and almonds, a diced stalk of celery, four trimmed and thinly-sliced scallions (or ¼ cup of diced sweet onions), kosher salt, ground pepper, a cup of mayonnaise, two teaspoons of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard.

Abbey Littlejohn

In a mixing bowl, mix the shredded chicken, pickles, celery and scallions together. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard and lemon juice.

Abbey Littlejohn

Stir the dressing mixture into the chicken mixture, then mix in the chopped nuts. Season the whole mixture with salt and pepper to taste, and serve however you like your chicken salad.

Abbey Littlejohn

Not only is chicken high in protein, but nuts like walnuts and almonds can improve gut and brain health, and onions also offer some health benefits—not to mention a big punch of flavor.

What’s more, celery is hydrating and packs a great crunch, and fresh lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C. This makes the Six Pack star’s chicken salad recipe one we can appreciate for its health benefits as well as its flavor.

In fact, Rogers’s chicken salad recipe just may give Matthew McConaughey’s viral chicken salad recipe a run for its money. While McConaughey’s recipe uses mayo, Italian salad dressing and olive oil as its creamy base, Rogers’s gets its tanginess from lemon juice and Dijon mustard, two fresh, savory flavors we can’t wait to try in our kitchen. We also love the addition of crunchy almonds and walnuts for a bit of extra flavor, fiber and healthy fats. 

But if chicken salad isn’t your thing, worry not. You can always try your hand at making tuna salad at home using McConaughey’s viral tuna salad recipe, or my personal favorite tuna salad recipe, one from country singer Miranda Lambert that adds crunchy diced apples to the mix. Whichever creamy, protein-packed salad you try, be sure to serve it with something yummy like Smashed Tomato & Cucumber Salad or a cup of creamy veggie soup.