This straightforward quinoa salad with rooster is an ideal gluten-free, wholesome salad to take to somebody who wants further nourishment and love! With veggies, feta cheese, olives, numerous herbs, and rooster, it’s an all-in-one lunch or gentle dinner.
One in every of my good associates broke her kneecap, and I made her this Quinoa Salad that’s good for sending to a buddy who wants a little bit further nourishment—or for stocking your personal fridge on a prep day. It’s easy to make, loaded with wholesome elements, and filled with vibrant flavors and textures.
I’ve been on a really lengthy streak of Mediterranean elements this 12 months, partly as a result of they’re all the time in my fridge and partly as a result of they’re scrumptious! So that you’ll discover feta, olives, pink peppers, herbs, and lemon on this salad together with juicy rooster tenders.
Quinoa Salad Elements + Why They’re Good For You!
- Quinoa: This historic grain brings each fiber and full plant protein to the desk, which implies lasting vitality and regular blood sugar. It’s gluten-free, filling, and makes a superb base for all these add-ins.
- Hen Tenders: Lean, high-quality protein ensures this can be a balanced meal—good for restoration or simply feeling grounded and happy.
- Bell Pepper & Cucumber: These crunchy veggies add freshness, hydration, and vitamin C, giving the salad a vibrant pop of taste and vitamins.
- Feta Cheese: A contact of creaminess and tang—plus calcium and a few protein—goes a good distance in flavoring the entire bowl.
- Kalamata Olives: These ship wholesome fat, a satisfying brine, and a touch of Mediterranean aptitude.
- Herbs (dill & parsley): Recent herbs brighten every thing and produce a great deal of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
- Lemon Juice & Zest: Vitamin C bonus, plus simply the correct zing to marry all of the salad parts.
- Olive Oil: Retains issues heart-healthy and helps your physique take up these fat-soluble nutritional vitamins.
What Makes This Salad So Straightforward
- Minimal cooking: Simply quinoa and rooster—each forgiving and easy.
- One-bowl toss (after you’ve obtained your elements prepared): No difficult layering or fancy plating—simply combine and go.
- Completely versatile: Swap in no matter herbs, seasoning, or add-ins you’ve gotten readily available.
- Make-ahead pleasant: Retains properly within the fridge—and tastes nice chilly or barely warmed.
Serving + Sharing
For those who’re delivering this to a buddy, pack it in a sturdy container with a little bit further dressing on the aspect. I ended up conserving the rooster separate in a to-go pan for simple reheating and since my buddy’s children didn’t need all of it blended up!
How To Make This Easy Quinoa Salad
Elements (serves 4-6)
- 2 cups dry quinoa
- 2 lbs rooster tenders, seasoned + olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 6 oz crumbled feta
- 1 small cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
- ? cup chopped herbs (dill + parsley)
- Juice of two lemons + zest (?¼ cup)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to style
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 levels
Step 2: Prepare dinner quinoa
Prepare dinner quinoa per bundle till fluffy and tender.
Step 3: Prep and cook dinner rooster
Pat rooster dry, season (I really like lemon-pepper or Italian seasoning), calmly drizzle with olive oil, and bake 15–17 minutes till cooked by way of.
Step 4: Prep elements
Whereas rooster roasts, chop bell pepper, cucumber, olives, crumble feta (if wanted), and chop the herbs.
Step 5: Make dressing
Whisk lemon juice, zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a measuring cup.
Step 6: Toss all of it collectively!
In a big bowl, toss quinoa, veggies, olives, feta, herbs, and dressing. High with rooster—serve heat or chilly.
Extra Quinoa Salads You’ll Love
If this reunion of quinoa, vibrant veggies, and flavorful dressing had you craving for extra, listed here are just a few recipes from Kath’s archives which can be in the identical queen-of-prep-day type:
- Feta and Herb Quinoa Salad – An easy herb-forward model with pink peppers, feta, and recent blended herbs drenched in lemon-olive oil goodness. Tremendous easy and excellent for a “prep day” — simply toss and go!
- Moroccan-Impressed Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing – Raisins, almonds, chickpeas, spinach, and capers belt out sweet-savory-nutty vibes, warmed by cinnamon and pulled along with a creamy lemon-tahini dressing.
- Vegetarian Greek Salad – All of the sun-kissed flavors of a Greek salad—cucumber, olives, feta—with quinoa and a easy lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s nice scorching, chilly, or picnic-ready.
Straightforward to prep, filled with nourishing elements, and totally scrumptious—whether or not you’re making it for your self or somebody who wants a pick-me-up. It balances consolation with diet and taste with comfort.
Easy Quinoa Salad with Hen
This straightforward quinoa salad recipe is an ideal gluten-free wholesome salad to take to somebody who wants further nourishment and love! With veggies, feta cheese, olives, numerous herbs, and rooster, it’s an all-in-one lunch or gentle dinner.
Elements
- 2 cups dry quinoa
- 2 kilos rooster tenders seasoning olive oil
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1 small cucumber sliced
- 1 cup Kalamata olives chopped
- 1/3 a cup of chopped herbs comparable to dill and parsley
- Juice of two lemons plus zest about 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to style
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 levels.
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Prepare dinner quinoa in accordance with bundle instructions till fluffy and tender.
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Pat rooster dry with paper towels and season on each side with salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, plus any further seasonings you want. I used lemon pepper, however Italian seasoning works too. Or preserve it easy.
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Bake rooster for 15-17 minutes
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In the meantime, chop pepper, slice cucumber, chop herbs, and chop olives. Crumble feta if not pre-crumbled.
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Make the dressing by zesting lemons and squeezing juice right into a measuring cup with olive oil.
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Toss every thing collectively in a big pot or bowl.
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Serve salad with rooster on high both heat or chilly.
