This easy quinoa salad with hen is an ideal gluten-free, wholesome salad to take to somebody who wants further nourishment and love! With veggies, feta cheese, olives, a lot of herbs, and hen, it’s an all-in-one lunch or gentle dinner.
One among my good pals broke her kneecap, and I made her this Quinoa Salad that’s excellent for sending to a pal who wants a bit of further nourishment—or for stocking your individual fridge on a prep day. It’s easy to make, loaded with wholesome components, and filled with shiny flavors and textures.
I’ve been on a really lengthy streak of Mediterranean components 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, purple peppers, herbs, and lemon on this salad together with juicy hen tenders.
Quinoa Salad Components + Why They’re Good For You!
- Quinoa: This historical grain brings each fiber and full plant protein to the desk, which implies lasting power 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—excellent 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 great 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 part and convey a great deal of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
- Lemon Juice & Zest: Vitamin C bonus, plus simply the proper 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 hen—each forgiving and easy.
- One-bowl toss (after you’ve acquired your components prepared): No sophisticated layering or fancy plating—simply combine and go.
- Completely versatile: Swap in no matter herbs, seasoning, or add-ins you might have readily available.
- Make-ahead pleasant: Retains nicely within the fridge—and tastes nice chilly or barely warmed.
Serving + Sharing
In case you’re delivering this to a pal, pack it in a sturdy container with a bit of further dressing on the facet. I ended up protecting the hen separate in a to-go pan for simple reheating and since my pal’s children didn’t need all of it blended up!
How To Make This Easy Quinoa Salad
Components (serves 4-6)
- 2 cups dry quinoa
- 2 lbs hen 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 hen
Pat hen dry, season (I really like lemon-pepper or Italian seasoning), calmly drizzle with olive oil, and bake 15–17 minutes till cooked by means of.
Step 4: Prep components
Whereas hen 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 hen—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 a couple of recipes from Kath’s archives which are in the identical queen-of-prep-day type:
- Feta and Herb Quinoa Salad – A simple herb-forward model with purple peppers, feta, and recent blended herbs drenched in lemon-olive oil goodness. Tremendous easy and ideal 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 sizzling, chilly, or picnic-ready.
Straightforward to prep, filled with nourishing components, 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, a lot of herbs, and hen, it’s an all-in-one lunch or gentle dinner.
Components
- 2 cups dry quinoa
- 2 kilos hen 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 similar 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
Preheat oven to 350 levels.
Prepare dinner quinoa in response to bundle instructions till fluffy and tender.
Pat hen dry with paper towels and season on either 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 hold it easy.
Bake hen for 15-17 minutes
In the meantime, chop pepper, slice cucumber, chop herbs, and chop olives. Crumble feta if not pre-crumbled.
Make the dressing by zesting lemons and squeezing juice right into a measuring cup with olive oil.
Toss every part collectively in a big pot or bowl.
Serve salad with hen on high both heat or chilly.
