Lemony White Bean Chicken Salad (Printable)

Bright, protein-packed salad with chicken, white beans, and fresh herbs in tangy lemon dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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

→ Lemon 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. Let the salad rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy beans and tender chicken create this incredibly satisfying texture that feels substantial without being heavy
  • That lemon vinaigrette wakes up everything it touches, making each bite taste impossibly fresh and vibrant
02 -
  • The salad tastes noticeably better after those ten minutes of resting, plan ahead and do not skip this step
  • Tasting before you serve is crucial because beans absorb salt differently depending on the brand
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid getting any bitter white pith in your dressing
  • Let your vinaigrette sit for five minutes before dressing the salad, the garlic mellow and meld
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