Quinoa Chicken Salad

Submitted by healthy mamma

"This is amazing! If I had to choose just one word to describe it, it would be fresh, fresh, fresh! So perfect for a simple summer meal. It doesn't get any healthier than this either, so basically, it's the perfect dish in my humble opinion! Dont' forget to rinse your quinoa before you cook it to remove the natural "soapy" film! Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat. Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein. Quinoa's protein is of an unusually high quality. It is a complete protein, with an essential amino acid balance close to the ideal ... similar to milk!"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• Salad

• 1 1⁄2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 1⁄2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1⁄2 cup thinly sliced green onion
• 1⁄2 cup diced radish
• 1⁄2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

• Dressing

• 1⁄4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons extra virgian olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced

directions

1. *Rinse quinoa in a seive under cold water very well to remove natural, soapy film residue.
2. 1. To prepare salad, bring broth to a boil in a medium sauce pan, gradually stir in quinoa. Cook 18-20 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
3. 2. In a cast iron skillet, over medium heat, add pine nuts (NO OIL) and shake constantly until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
4. 3. Add chicken, onions, radishes, cucumber, parsley, and toasted pine nuts., toss gently to combine.
5. 4. To prepare dressing, combine vinegar, and remaing ingredients stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over salad, toss to combine.

Reviews

[2heartstc_7872361]

This was a wonderful, light, refreshing salad. My husband is not a fan of quinoa but really liked this. I introduced my teaching partner to quinoa with this salad, and we both agreed it was very good. The only thing I changed was the amount of cumin. To me, cumin can be an overpowering spice, so I only used 1/8 tsp. I am thinking of making this with either scallops or shrimp for another twist. Great recipe!

 

[TishT]

Very easy to put together and perfect for a lunch or light dinner too! I did increase the broth to 2 cups and used the red quinoa I had in the pantry. It went together fast too. Thanks for the recipe!

 

[porkbean]

Outstanding. Made it for my wife and the kids, I was a HERO! I did burn the quinoa at first so had to redo. In fact, my five year old said, "Dad, why is the rice [quinoa] on fire?" Second time around, I put the quinoa and 2 cups of broth in the pot and brought both to a boil together I lowered it to a simmer and put a top on it. I let it hang out at that heat for 15 minutes. It was fluffy and ready after that. Dad Mark

 

[agileangus]

This was really good. I didn't have radishes so I used red pepper. I didn't have pine nuts so I used sunflower seeds.

 

[kantara]

Delicious! Will definitely be making this again ... even my super-picky daughter liked it.