Lemony White Bean Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Tender chicken and creamy white beans with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon vinaigrette.

# Ingredients List:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
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

→ Fresh Herbs

06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Vinaigrette

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

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, white beans, celery, red onion, cherry tomatoes, 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.
05 - Let the salad rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal actual cooking, making it perfect for those days when you want something substantial but dont want to heat up your kitchen
  • The combination of protein and fiber keeps you satisfied for hours without that heavy feeling you get from mayonnaise based salads
02 -
  • This salad actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead entertaining
  • The red onion will become milder as it sits in the acidic dressing, so dont worry about it being too sharp initially
03 -
  • Warm the beans slightly before adding them to the salad. This helps them absorb the dressing more effectively and makes the whole salad feel more cohesive
  • Use a microplane or zester for the lemon zest to avoid the bitter white pith. Those tiny flecks of zest make a bigger difference than you might expect
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