Originally published October 1, 2013, last updated August 26, 2014

Chicken & White Bean Salad

 

Servings: 4 servings, about 2 cups each

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes

Zucchini and celery give this chicken-and-bean salad a nice crunch. We like serving it over a bed of slightly bitter escarole and radicchio, but any type of salad greens will work. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

Preparations:

To prepare vinaigrette: Peel the garlic and smash with the side of a chef’s knife. Using a fork, mash the garlic with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl to form a coarse paste. Whisk in 5 tablespoons oil. Add 6 tablespoons orange juice, vinegar and mustard; whisk until well blended. Taste and whisk in up to 4 tablespoons more juice to mellow the flavor; season with more salt, if desired. Set aside at room temperature.

To prepare salad: Combine beans, chicken, zucchini (and/or summer squash), celery, cheese and sun-dried tomatoes (if using) in a large bowl until well blended. Add chopped basil and 3/4 cup vinaigrette; toss until combined. Taste and season with salt and/or pepper, if desired.

Toss the remaining vinaigrette with escarole (or romaine) and radicchio in a medium bowl. Serve the salad on the greens, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Nutrition:

Per serving  Calories: 428; Carbohydrates: 24g; Fat: 23g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 15g; Protein: 34g; Cholesterol: 79mg; Dietary Fiber: 8g; Sodium: 667mg

Tips & Notes: Tip: To poach chicken breasts, place about 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a medium skillet or saucepan. Add lightly salted water to cover and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer gently until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 15 minutes. Ricotta salata and halloumi are both firm, salted cheeses that can be found at large supermarkets and cheese shops.

 

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