High Protein Dense Bean Salad (with Chicken)

I’m completely obsessed with this dense bean salad because it actually keeps me full until dinner time. It’s my take on the viral dense bean salad recipe but I’ve added juicy marinated chicken thighs to make it even better. You definitely need to try this alongside my Healthy Chicken Lasagna for a high-protein week.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This dense bean salad is honestly a lifesaver for busy weeks when you need something nutritious ready to go.

• So tasty: The mix of pickled peppers and sun-dried tomatoes gives it such a punchy flavour. It’s got that addictive quality like the dressing in my Budget Green Goddess Salad.
• Nutrient packed: We are using chicken plus chickpeas and butter beans for a serious hit of bean salad protein. It feels much more substantial than a standard Mediterranean bean salad recipe.
• Meal prep friendly: The flavours actually improve after sitting in the fridge for a day or two. Try making a Delicious Chicken Bolognese for another great meal-prep option.
• A freezable dense bean salad ?! You may have thought it was impossible, but as these vegetables are all roasted, this DBS is freezable, making it even better for meal prep.

If you have leftover chicken, consider making TENDER Cast Iron Chicken Breast, Easy Chicken Piccata (Ready in 20 Minutes), or Easy Sweet Chilli Chicken {Chinese Fakeaway!}.

Ingredients

The ingredients that make this dense bean salad absolutely delicious are the following:

• Chicken thighs: I use boneless skinless thighs for ease- they require minimal prep and stay super moist. If you’re a bone-in fan, you can also go for that! ( Ps you should try my Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake). If you prefer breast meat, just adjust the cook time.
• Canned beans: Using tinned chickpeas and butter beans keeps the bean salad ingredients super cheap and accessible. You can easily switch these for cannellini beans if you have those in the cupboard for my Tuscan White Bean Soup.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: These add a lovely chewy texture and a deep savoury taste that brings the whole dish together. Definitely save the oil from the jar because we use it for the marinade!

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

• Go meat-free: Leave out the chicken and toss in some cubed tofu or the BEST Crispy Tofu for a vegetarian mediterranean salad style meal. You could even roast some sweet potato chunks for your dense bean salad.
• Fish option: Swap the chicken for some tinned tuna or flaky hot smoked salmon to create a different mediterranean bean salad. It gives it a lighter feel similar to my Salmon Tray Bake.
• Dairy-free: You can easily skip the mozzarella or use a vegan alternative if you are avoiding dairy. There is so much flavour in the veg that you won’t even miss it!

How to make Dense Bean Salad with Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the chicken for 1-3 hours.

Step 2: Before popping it in the oven, add your Romano peppers, courgette, and one more tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil to the bowl and stir to combine. Evenly distribute the ingredients across the baking sheet. 

Step 3: Bake for 35-60 minutes depending on the size of your chicken thighs. I removed the chicken thighs at 35 mins. Let the chicken rest before slicing.

Step 4: Combine the ingredients for the dressing.

Step 5: Place the contents of the tray into a bowl and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Combine all of the ingredients and stir in the basil, portion it out, and add a lemon wedge to each container before refrigerating.

For a more filling meal, try serving this Simple Baked Ravioli Casserole Recipe, Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta, or Ragu Bianco (White Ragu) alongside your salad.

What is a dense bean salad?

If you have been on TikTok recently you have definitely seen the dense bean salad trend taking over. It is basically a salad where we ditch the lettuce completely and pack the bowl with chunky veg and beans instead. I love it because without the leafy greens, you don’t get that soggy mess at the bottom of the container. It means the dressing can properly marinate the veggies which makes it SO tasty.

However, I found a lot of the viral recipes were a bit light and I was hungry again by 3pm. That is why I developed this protein-packed bean salad with chicken. I roast the chicken thighs right on top of the veg so everything absorbs those juices. It turns a light lunch into a filling meal that keeps you going.

This is honestly the best high-protein meal prep salad I have made in ages. You can make a massive batch on Sunday and it will genuinely taste better on Wednesday because the flavours have had time to mingle. If you are looking for healthy lunch prep that actually feels like a treat rather than a chore, this might be the one.

Serving Suggestions

Although I designed this dense bean salad to be a standalone lunch prep, it is actually amazing as a side dish for a bigger spread. Because it is quite acidic and zesty from the pickled peppers, it works so well to cut through richer meats or simple grilled fish. It is proper hearty salad food that won’t wilt if you put it out for a BBQ or a dinner party.

Try it with:

• Air Fryer Salmon Bites 
• Steak Pasta with Creamy Sauce
• Baked Chicken and Cauliflower
• Easy Burger Bowls

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

This dense bean salad is totally designed for meal prep and sits happily in the fridge. Just follow these steps to keep your protein salad fresh.

Refrigerator: Pop your portions into airtight containers and they will last for 4 to 5 days.

Freezer: I wouldn’t really recommend freezing this one as the fresh veggies will go a bit mushy.

Reheat: You are meant to eat this cold straight from the fridge which is so convenient!

Recipe FAQs

Try these Chocolate Protein Muffins (Fudgy & High Protein), Cottage Cheese Egg Bites, and Healthy Apple Pie Porridge with Walnuts for a healthy snack after your salad.