Lemony White Bean Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Protein-packed salad featuring chicken, white beans, and fresh vegetables in a bright lemon vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (about 2 small breasts)
02 - 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
04 - 1/4 red onion, finely diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

→ Fresh Herbs

06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried dill)

→ Vinaigrette

08 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
10 - 1 tsp lemon zest
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
14 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, white beans, celery, red onion, cherry tomatoes (if using), parsley, and dill.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper.
05 - Let the salad rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The vinaigrette doubles as a marinade if you want to prep the chicken ahead
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day, making tomorrow is lunch effortless
02 -
  • The salad will absorb more dressing as it sits, so keep a little extra vinaigrette separate if you plan to serve leftovers the next day
  • White beans can sometimes be mealy if the can is old, so give them a quick rinse and feel for any mushy beans before adding them
03 -
  • Use a microplane or zester for the lemon zest to avoid getting any bitter white pith
  • Let the dressed chicken and bean mixture rest for at least 15 minutes before serving, as this transforms the dish
Go Back