This is the kind of eating I have been trying to do as much as possible lately (um between my popcorn fueled heavy traveling). It is not only really delicious, but I also feel good after I eat it. You know when you are kind of out of your normal routine and eating out a lot, how nothing feels better than a healthy home cooked meal? Well that is exactly what this whole Quinoa/fresh veggie/grilled chicken thing is doing for me.
This is made with red quinoa (although any color is fine!) fresh veggies and an Asian Inspired Sesame Ginger Sauce. Topped with simple grilled chicken breasts and cilantro it is really fresh and bright in flavors.
I made this for myself two weeks ago when I was home for a couple days and ate it over a couple of meals and was so relieved to be able to go to the fridge and have exactly the kind of thing I was in the mood for (It’s great cold by the way!)
What do you like to make yourself when you are trying to eat well? Kale Salad? Grilled Salmon? Vegetable soup? Double Chocolate Doughnuts?
Recipe: Sesame Ginger Quinoa Salad with Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, white parts
- ½ cup edamame
- Sesame Ginger Sauce
- 2 green onions, tops only, rough chopped
- 1 red Fresno chili
- 2 inch pieces of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon sunflower butter (or if you aren’t allergic you could use peanut butter)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt to taste
- 2 thin grilled chicken breasts, thinly sliced and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Instructions
- Bring the broth and quinoa to a boil, then cover with a lid and let the quinoa simmer 15-20 minutes until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine the Sesame Ginger Sauce ingredients. Pulse until they are well combined. Season to taste with kosher salt.
- Gently toss the quinoa, bell pepper, green onion and edamame with the sauce. Season to taste with kosher salt.
- Transfer the quinoa to a platter and top with the chicken and fresh cilantro. Serve warm or chilled.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 20 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4
Print Recipe
Yay! So glad to see your email this morning! This recipe looks so great. For healthy eating, I love this sort of thing….a bunch of healthy elements all happily playing well together in a bowl. Afterwards, a brownie or a peanut butter cup to keep me humble.
This is right up my alley right now – trying to diet and eat healthy yet still craving flavor and substance. When I’m trying to eat better, there’s nothing I like more than some properly cooked green beans or sugar snap peas tossed with just a hint of olive oil, salt and pepper. They really fill me up and keep me from overeating the high calorie stuff.
That sounds so good Kelley- love peas and green beans
I have been loving Asian-inspired noodle and grain salads lately – so many bright flavors and so refreshing! This looks awesome. I know what I’m having for lunch this week!
Josie- I am completely obsessed with the Asian flavored everything too!! I have some Asian curries coming up!
LOVE this!!!!
Can’t wait to try this out! I make quinoa bowls a lot with chicken, whatever veggies I have, and either a dressing I make or when I’m feeling super lazy, a splash of store-bought BBQ sauce.
I need to eat more Quinoa bowls! it is such a great alternative to pasta and rice, I am have been going at it with the quinoa a lot more, and love every bite!
This recipe looks so yummy, and perfect for spring! I’m going to be adding this to my dinner menu for next week because it just jumped off the screen and begs to be made!!
Phi! That makes me so happy- hope you like it!
This sounds like the perfect healthy meal for a busy week night. I can’t wait to try it!
It is VERY easy and perfect for a weeknight meal- plus it is fast and tastes great!
Love the red quinoa, this is such a great lunch idea!
Trader Joes has totally turned me on to the red quinoa- it seems nuttier and crunchier somehow and I like that a lot.
I made this tonight (minus the edamame because I didn’t have any) and it was delicious. Heather, you have the best ideas for dressings! The flavors were bright and delicious. I topped my salad with avocado since I had one that had to be used before tomorrow. Terrific salad I’ll be making in the future.
Thank you so much Courtney!! I love the idea of adding Avocado! Very happy that you like the salad…
I’ve been so bad about eating well since I got back from Cuba. I hope this recipe inspires me to change that!
We all usually need a reset button when coming back from vacation, righT!?
Thanks for this recipes it help me with my husband being a sugar diabetic
How is this peanut free if there is peanut butter in it?
Hey Holly- thank you so much- that recipe is older and considering we have a peanut allergy in the house we typically use sunflower butter. I just adjusted the recipe- thank you for pointing this out.
Made this for dinner tonight, substituted salmon for the chicken and it was AMAZING!!!