Bistro Chicken Salad
A bright, herb-infused chicken salad featuring tender chicken, crisp beans, sweet tomatoes, and fresh arugula—perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 (1 1/2 lb.) whole chicken ⓘ
- 1 chicken bouillon ⓘ
- 5 whole cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. French green beans ⓘ
- 4 small cherry tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Greek olives, drained ⓘ
- 4 small potatoes ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 4 tsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 1 bunch arugula (a green like lettuce that has a mustard taste) ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat chicken, bouillon, cloves, and 3 cups of water to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan over high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the liquid and set aside to cool.
- Once cooled, discard skin and bones; tear the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Trim stems from the green beans and cut them into 1/4-inch slices.
- Boil the beans in 2 inches of water in a 2-quart saucepan over high heat until they reach a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the beans for 3 minutes.
- Cook the potatoes until fork-tender.
- Combine the chicken, beans, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, olives, arugula, olive oil, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and oregano in a large bowl and chill before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of the chicken, consider marinating it in olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano for a few hours before cooking. If you don’t have Greek olives, Kalamata olives can be a good substitute. For a more vibrant salad, try adding some diced bell peppers or cucumbers. This dish is versatile, so feel free to swap in any seasonal vegetables you enjoy from Mediterranean recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Bistro Chicken Salad on a bed of arugula for an elegant presentation. Pair it with crusty bread or a light soup, like Iced Cucumber And Mint Soup, to create a complete meal. This salad can also be a delightful filling for wraps or sandwiches. For an extra touch, drizzle with additional lemon juice right before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Bistro Chicken Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of olive oil to keep it moist. Avoid reheating the salad with mixed vegetables, as they are best served chilled.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bistro Chicken Salad contains roughly 683 calories, with 21g protein, 159g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (273% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2170mg per serving (94% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it in with the other ingredients. This not only saves time but also adds great flavor.
What can I substitute for arugula?
If you're not a fan of arugula, you can substitute it with baby spinach or mixed greens. Both options will provide a different taste and texture but will still create a delicious base for the salad.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, Bistro Chicken Salad is great for meal prep! You can prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them separately. Just combine everything right before serving to maintain freshness, making it an ideal choice for quick lunches throughout the week.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).