Simple Chicken Salad with Croutons and Beans

Recipe infographic: Simple Chicken Salad with Croutons and Beans — ingredients and step-by-step visual guide

Crisp napa cabbage, tender chicken, sweet corn, and hearty beans come together in a salad that is both light and satisfying. Homemade herb croutons add the perfect crunch, while a quick-pickled onion brightens every bite. It is an easy lunch that holds up beautifully for meal prep.

Chicken salad with crunchy croutons, beans, and corn in a bowl

Ingredients

  • 250 g (9 oz) cooked chicken breast
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 small head of napa cabbage
  • 1 small can corn, drained
  • 1 small can red beans, drained
  • 1/2 onion, quick-pickled (1/2 tsp sugar + a splash of hot water)
  • 4-5 slices white baguette (+ salt, herbes de Provence, 1 tbsp olive oil)
  • 2-3 tbsp mayonnaise or Greek yogurt

Instructions

  1. Cube the baguette and toast in a skillet with oil, salt, and herbes de Provence.
  2. Dice the chicken, slice the cucumber into strips, and roughly chop the cabbage.
  3. Toss the onion with sugar and hot water and let stand for 10 minutes, then drain.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, cucumber, drained onion, chicken, beans, and corn; season with salt and dress with mayonnaise or yogurt. Toss and top with croutons.

Tips

  • Add the croutons just before serving so they stay crisp.
  • Drain the beans and corn well so the salad does not turn watery.
  • Swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.

Nutrition: per 100 g: 83.4 kcal, protein 9 g, fat 3.3 g, carbs 4.3 g

For more healthy lunch ideas, try Chicken and Mozzarella Garden Salad and Lighter Olivier Salad with Chicken and Yogurt Dressing. For more healthy cooking guidance, visit USDA.

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