Lemony White Bean Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Bright, protein-packed salad with tender chicken, white beans, and fresh herbs in tangy 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.
05 - Let the salad rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, most of it hands-off
  • The creamy beans and tangy vinaigrette create the kind of satisfying contrast that keeps you going back for just one more bite
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, making it meal prep gold
02 -
  • The salad needs those 10 minutes of resting time—tasting immediately will fool you into thinking it needs more acid
  • Red onion can vary wildly in intensity, so start with less and add more if it needs that punch
  • This keeps for 3 days in the fridge, but the herbs will start looking sad after day two
03 -
  • Grate your garlic into the vinaigrette instead of mincing for smoother distribution
  • Invest in a Microplane for your lemon zest—it catches only the fragrant oils, none of the bitter pith
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