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Close-up of a colorful chicken quinoa salad with fresh vegetables.

High Protein Chicken Quinoa Salad


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  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

A nutritious and delicious high-protein salad featuring grilled chicken breast, fluffy quinoa, and fresh vegetables, perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups water
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard


Instructions

Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh sieve until water runs clear.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.
Remove from heat and let the quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
While the quinoa cooks, preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, mix olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Brush the chicken breasts with the spice mixture evenly on both sides.
Grill the chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss gently to combine.
Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes