Are you craving a vibrant, nutritious dish that screams summer freshness and takes just 35 minutes to prepare? Look no further than this Light Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad – a culinary masterpiece that combines protein-packed quinoa, tender shredded chicken, and zesty orange segments in a delightful symphony of flavors. This recipe isn't just a meal; it's a refreshing experience that will revolutionize your lunch and dinner options, promising both incredible taste and remarkable health benefits.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 orange, segmented
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with chicken broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Remove quinoa from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool completely.
- While quinoa is cooling, prepare the chicken by either grilling, baking, or using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Segment the orange by cutting away the membrane and removing individual juice-filled segments. Dice the cucumber and red bell pepper into small, uniform pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, and pepper to create a light dressing.
- Add the shredded chicken, orange segments, diced cucumber, and red bell pepper to the cooled quinoa.
- Drizzle the olive oil dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill the salad for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
- Serve cold as a light main dish or refreshing side salad.
Tips
- Quinoa Perfection: Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural bitter coating, ensuring a clean, nutty flavor.
- Chicken Preparation: For maximum flavor, consider grilling or using a rotisserie chicken instead of plain boiled chicken.
- Citrus Trick: When segmenting oranges, use a sharp knife to cut between the membranes for perfect, juice-filled segments.
- Flavor Enhancement: Let the salad chill for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and flavors to intensify.
- Customization Options: Feel free to add herbs like mint or parsley for extra freshness, or swap bell peppers with other crisp vegetables.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 65mg
