The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate how a base recipe, in this case Chicken with Cannellini Beans, can create a new recipe with a few ingredient changes. First, we create a recipe, then we taste the recipe, then we change up the ingredients to develop a new recipe from the original recipe.
This is the innovative part of the process. That is why our approach to cooking is: create, taste, innovate.
Why Chicken and Cannellini Beans?
This combination is the ultimate “blank canvas” for a home cook. Cannellini beans (also known as White Kidney Beans) are creamy, mild, and high in protein, making them the perfect partner for lean chicken breast. Because these ingredients have a neutral flavor profile, they can be “pivoted” into Italian, Mediterranean, or even Zesty flavors just by changing one or two complimentary ingredients.
Chef’s Tips for the Best Results
- The Liquid Gold: When using canned beans for these recipes, don’t always drain the liquid! The “aquafaba” (the starchy liquid in the can) helps create a natural, silky sauce when simmered with the chicken and garlic.
- Don’t Overcook the Breast: Since we are sautéing chicken pieces, they cook fast. Sauté them until just golden, then remove them while you simmer your vegetables and beans. Adding the chicken back at the very end keeps it juicy and tender.
- Storage & Meal Prep: This base is a meal-prepper’s dream. You can cook a large batch of the chicken and beans with just garlic and salt, store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, and then transform it into the different versions below on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.
The Invent Your Recipe Challenge
To create your own version of this base, follow my “Flavor Pivot” rule. Choose one item from each category to add to the pan:
- A Green: (Spinach, Kale, Zucchini, or Broccoli)
- An Acid: (Diced Tomatoes, Lemon Juice, or a splash of White Wine)
- A Texture: (Roasted Red Peppers, Olives, or Ricotta Cheese)
Explore my six proven combinations below to see how these small changes create entirely different dining experiences.
I hope you enjoy these chicken with cannellini beans dishes. Let us know what you think. You can reach out to us here.
Ready to take these flavors even further?
If you enjoyed the hearty, Mediterranean feel of these chicken and bean dishes, you’ll love exploring these other Italian favorites from my kitchen:
- For the Garlic Lovers: If you enjoyed the garlic base of these recipes, my Whole Wheat Pasta Aglio e Olio is the ultimate 15-minute Italian classic.
- Looking for a Different Protein? Use these same sautéing techniques for my Baked Italian Sausage and Potatoes, it’s a reader favorite for a reason!
- The Perfect Side Dish: Want to keep it light? Pair any of these bean dishes with my garden-fresh Zucchini with Tomatoes and Garlic.
- A True Italian Tradition: If you want to try something unique, check out my Cold Scungilli Salad. It’s a classic seafood dish that I love to prepare for special family gatherings.
Welcome to our Chicken with Cannellini Beans Recipe Series Page
Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Tomatoes: A 22 Minute Recipe
See how I use a simple base of chicken with cannellini beans to create 6 unique family dinners:
- The Base: Chicken & Cannellini Beans Hub
- #1 Tomatoes: With Diced Tomatoes
- #2 Zucchini: With Sautéed Zucchini
- #3 Spinach: With Fresh Spinach
- #4 Green Beans: With Fresh Green Beans
- #5 Red Peppers: With Roasted Red Peppers
- #6 Mushrooms: With Savory Mushrooms
Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Tomatoes. Boneless chicken breasts cut into pieces and sautéed with oil, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans and garlic.
Welcome to the first recipe in our Chicken with Cannellini Beans series of recipes. In this version I am using diced tomatoes and cannellini beans to create a wonderful and tasty chicken dish. This series of recipes will feature chicken and cannellini beans cooked with different types of ingredients and methods.
What will change the most in these recipes are the complimentary ingredients. For instance, in the second version of this recipe, zucchini is added as a complimentary ingredient.
Get the full 22-minute Chicken and Tomatoes recipe here.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts (about 1 lb.) cut into stripes
- 1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz.) or 2 plum tomatoes diced
- 1 can cannellini beans(15 oz.) or equivalent
- ¼ cup canola oil or equivalent
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken:
- Begin by cutting the boneless chicken breasts into stripes. In a large skillet add in the canola oil and bring to a high heat.
- Next, add in the chicken and sauté on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes total. Remove the chicken from the skillet and drain the oil.
Bringing it all Together:
- Return the skillet to medium heat and add in the diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add the chicken back into the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
To Serve:
- Serve the chicken with cannellini beans and tomatoes with a side of broccoli or another green vegetable.
Notes
Nutrition
Chicken with Zucchini and Beans: A 25 Minute Recipe
See how I use a simple base of chicken with cannellini beans to create 6 unique family dinners:
- The Base: Chicken & Cannellini Beans Hub
- #1 Tomatoes: With Diced Tomatoes
- #2 Zucchini: With Sautéed Zucchini
- #3 Spinach: With Fresh Spinach
- #4 Green Beans: With Fresh Green Beans
- #5 Red Peppers: With Roasted Red Peppers
- #6 Mushrooms: With Savory Mushrooms
Chicken with Zucchini and Beans. Boneless chicken pieces sautéed with garlic, zucchini, diced tomatoes, and cannellini beans.
Welcome to the second recipe in our Chicken with Cannellini Beans series of recipes. In this version, Chicken with Zucchini and Beans, I am using zucchini to change up this dish. This recipe is a very subtle change, as the first version of this recipe calls for tomatoes and broccoli.
However, a small change like this really does make a completely different dish and eating experience.
Get the full 25-minute Chicken and Zucchini recipe here.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
- 4 gloves of garlic sliced
- 2 small zucchinis cut into sticks
- 15 oz. cannellini beans 1 can
- 15 oz. diced tomatoes 1 can
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ cup canola oil
Instructions
- Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
Preparing Chicken:
- In a large skillet add in the oil and bring to a high heat. Next, add in the chicken pieces and sauté for 4 minutes, flipping the chicken over after 2 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet.
Bringing It All Together:
- Continuing on high heat, add in the garlic and sauté until golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Next, add in the zucchini and sauté for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add in the beans, tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Finally, add the chicken back into the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
To Serve:
- Place the chicken with zucchini and beans into a large serving dish or on top of brown rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Chicken with Spinach and Cannellini Beans: A 22 Minute Recipe
See how I use a simple base of chicken with cannellini beans to create 6 unique family dinners:
- The Base: Chicken & Cannellini Beans Hub
- #1 Tomatoes: With Diced Tomatoes
- #2 Zucchini: With Sautéed Zucchini
- #3 Spinach: With Fresh Spinach
- #4 Green Beans: With Fresh Green Beans
- #5 Red Peppers: With Roasted Red Peppers
- #6 Mushrooms: With Savory Mushrooms
Chicken with Spinach and Cannellini Beans. Boneless chicken bites sautéed in oil with spinach, diced tomatoes, and cannellini beans.
Welcome to the third recipe in our Chicken with Cannellini Beans series of recipes. In this version, Chicken with Spinach and Cannellini Beans, I am using spinach to change up this dish.
This recipe is a very subtle change, as the first version of this recipe calls for diced tomatoes and beans. However, a small change like this really does make a completely different dish and eating experience.
Get the full 22-minute Chicken and Spinach Recipe here.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts about 1 lb. cut into stripes
- 1 bag 10-12 oz. baby spinach
- 1 15oz can of diced tomatoes or 2 plum tomatoes diced
- 1 15oz can of cannellini beans or equivalent
- ¼ cup canola oil or equivalent
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Before beginning the recipe remember to read the "Invent Your Recipe" section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
Preparing the Chicken:
- Begin by cutting the boneless chicken breasts into stripes. In a large skillet add in the canola oil and bring to a high heat.
- Next, add in the chicken and sauté on all sides until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes total). Remove the chicken from the skillet and drain the oil.
Bringing it all Together:
- Return the skillet to medium heat and add in the spinach, diced tomatoes (with liquid), cannellini beans (with liquid), salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add the chicken back into the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
To Serve:
- Serve the chicken with spinach and cannellini beans with crusty Italian bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Chicken with Green Beans: A 35 Minute Recipe
See how I use a simple base of chicken with cannellini beans to create 6 unique family dinners:
- The Base: Chicken & Cannellini Beans Hub
- #1 Tomatoes: With Diced Tomatoes
- #2 Zucchini: With Sautéed Zucchini
- #3 Spinach: With Fresh Spinach
- #4 Green Beans: With Fresh Green Beans
- #5 Red Peppers: With Roasted Red Peppers
- #6 Mushrooms: With Savory Mushrooms
Chicken with Green Beans and Cannellini Beans. Chicken bites sautéed with green beans, garlic, tomatoes, and cannellini beans.
Welcome to the fourth recipe in our Chicken with Cannellini Beans series of recipes. In this version, Chicken with Green Beans and Cannellini Beans, I am using green beans to change up this dish.
This recipe is a very subtle change, as the first version of this recipe calls for diced tomatoes and beans. However, a small change like this really does make a completely different dish and eating experience.
Get the full 35-minute Chicken and Green Beans Recipe here.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts about 1 lb. cut into stripes
- 2 cups green beans cleaned and cut in half
- 1- pint cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 can cannellini beans 15oz
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
- Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
Preparing the Chicken:
- Begin by cutting the boneless chicken breasts into stripes.
- In a large skillet add in the canola oil and bring to a high heat. Next, add in the green beans and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add in the chicken, salt, and ground black pepper and sauté for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
Bringing it all Together:
- Continuing on high heat, add is the tomatoes, cannellini beans with liquid, and chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, mixing occasionally, or until the liquid has thicken to your liking.
To Serve:
- Serve the chicken with green beans and cannellini beans over your favorite grain.
Notes
Nutrition
Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Peas: A 28 Minute Recipe
See how I use a simple base of chicken with cannellini beans to create 6 unique family dinners:
- The Base: Chicken & Cannellini Beans Hub
- #1 Tomatoes: With Diced Tomatoes
- #2 Zucchini: With Sautéed Zucchini
- #3 Spinach: With Fresh Spinach
- #4 Green Beans: With Fresh Green Beans
- #5 Red Peppers: With Roasted Red Peppers
- #6 Mushrooms: With Savory Mushrooms
Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Peas. Boneless chicken pieces sautéed and mixed with cannellini beans, peas, roasted red peppers, and ricotta cheese.
In this version, Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Peas, I am using peas, roasted red peppers, and ricotta cheese to change up this dish.
This recipe is a subtle change, as the first version of this recipe calls for diced tomatoes and beans. However, a small change like this really does make a completely different dish and eating experience.
Get the full 28-minute Chicken and Peas with Ricotta Recipe here.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts about 1 lb. cut into pieces
- 4 oz. roasted red peppers chopped
- 1 cup peas
- 1 can cannellini beans 15oz
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken:
- Begin by cutting the boneless chicken breasts into pieces. In a large skillet add in the canola oil and bring to a high heat.
- Next, add in the garlic and sauté until golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Next, add in the chicken and sauté on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Bringing it all Together:
- Continuing on high heat add in the cannellini beans (with liquid), roasted red peppers, peas, salt, and ground black pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes, mixing occasionally, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Finally, turn off the heat, add in the Ricotta cheese, and mix well.
To Serve:
- Serve the chicken with cannellini beans and peas with a side of broccoli or over pasta.
Notes
Nutrition
Sautéed Chicken and Mushrooms with Cannellini Beans (20-Minute Meal)
See how I use a simple base of chicken with cannellini beans to create 6 unique family dinners:
- The Base: Chicken & Cannellini Beans Hub
- #1 Tomatoes: With Diced Tomatoes
- #2 Zucchini: With Sautéed Zucchini
- #3 Spinach: With Fresh Spinach
- #4 Green Beans: With Fresh Green Beans
- #5 Red Peppers: With Roasted Red Peppers
- #6 Mushrooms: With Savory Mushrooms
Savory Chicken with Mushrooms and Beans in this final version of the series, I introduce earthy mushrooms to the base.
The mushrooms soak up the juices from the chicken and the starch from the cannellini beans, creating a rich, savory sauce without needing heavy cream. It’s the perfect ‘invented’ twist for a chilly evening.
Get the full Savory Chicken with Mushrooms and Beans Recipe here.
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 boneless chicken breasts cut into ½-inch pieces
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1 can diced tomatoes strained, 15-16 ounces
- 1 can cannellini beans with liquid, 15-16 ounces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken:
- In a large skillet or pot, add in the olive oil and bring to a high heat. Next, add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add the chicken and sauté on all sides until golden brown, mixing occasionally for 5-7 minutes.
Bringing it all Together:
- Continuing on high heat, add the mushrooms, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, salt, and ground black pepper to the skillet or pot.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes, mixing occasionally, or until the thickness of the sauce is to your liking
How to Serve Chicken with Mushrooms and Beans:
- Serve the chicken with mushrooms and beans with broccoli or another green vegetable. Also, add in your favorite grain like brown rice, quinoa, sorghum, or buckwheat.
Notes
Nutrition
For even more ideas check out our pinterest page…
Thank You for visiting our Chicken with Cannellini Beans Page.
