5.0 from 21 votes
Chicken Quinoa Salad
This healthy whole grain salad recipe is tangy, light and so satisfying. With Mediterranean flavors, this chicken kale quinoa salad holds up for days, so it's a great brown bag lunch option and makes enough for a crowd.
Prep Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 297 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa cooled to room temperature
- 1 pound cooked chicken breasts cooled, chopped or shredded
- 4 cups finely chopped curly kale from about 5 large kale leaves
- ½ red bell pepper finely chopped
- ½ hothouse cucumber diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- ⅓ cup kalamata olives quartered
- 3 scallions (white and pale green parts) thinly sliced
- 8 ounce can chick peas drained
- 1 cup feta cheese diced or crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
- ½ cup Lemon Vinaigrette
Instructions
TO COOK QUINOA:
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the quinoa and boil, stirring occasionally for 12-13 minutes or until the spirulina starts to pull away from the grain.
- Drain the cooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer until no more liquid is dripping out.
- Return the quinoa to the pot you cooked it in and secure with the lid. Steam for 10 minutes, then remove the lid and let the quinoa cool to room temperature. Can be made one day ahead.
Cup of Yum
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled quinoa, cooked chicken, kale, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, olives scallions, chick peas, feta, basil and oregano. Toss well to mix.
- Add about 1/3 cup of lemon vinaigrette and toss to coat. Taste for seasoning and add the remainder of the dressing if needed. Serve immediately.
- If you're making this chicken quinoa salad ahead of time, wait to add the cheese, herbs or dressing until just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Cholesterol
65mg
(22%)
Sodium
445mg
(19%)
Potassium
462mg
(13%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
3902IU
(78%)
Vitamin C
47mg
(52%)
Calcium
221mg
(22%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 65mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 445mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 462mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 3902IU | 78% |
| Vitamin C | 47mg | 52% |
| Calcium | 221mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.