One Pot High Protein Chicken And White Beans Recipe
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Diet: High Protein, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 cans (15 oz each) Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Grated parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Sear the Chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper, then add them to the pot. Sauté the chicken until it is golden brown on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
- Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics. In the same pot, reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Step 3: Simmer the Base. Pour in the chicken broth and add the drained Cannellini beans. Stir in the dried oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes. This allows the beans to soften slightly and the flavors to develop.
- Step 4: Return Chicken and Add Greens. Add the browned chicken back into the pot along with any juices that collected on the plate. Stir in the fresh baby spinach. Continue to cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the spinach has wilted into the broth.
- Step 5: Final Seasoning. Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. This adds a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the beans. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Ladle the mixture into bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.