Name: Zesty Lemon and Herb Chicken Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast; 1 cup uncooked quinoa; 2 cups water or broth; 1 cucumber; 1 cup cherry tomatoes; 3 tbsp olive oil; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1/4 cup fresh parsley

2Instructions

Quick Summary

A refreshing, protein-packed salad featuring pan-seared chicken, nutty quinoa, and crunchy fresh vegetables. Perfectly suited for meal prep or a quick, healthy dinner.

Ingredients

For the Base

1 lb chicken breast, diced
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water or broth
1 cucumber, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

For the Dressing

3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 large lemon
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Combine with broth in a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear in a skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil until golden and cooked through.
3. In a small jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and parsley.
4. In a large bowl, toss the cooled quinoa, cooked chicken, cucumber, and tomatoes. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Stewart's Secret: Let your quinoa cool completely before adding the vegetables. This keeps the cucumber crisp and prevents the herbs from wilting too quickly.

Nutrition Snapshot

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	38g
Fat	16g
Carbohydrates	35g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free.

What can I substitute for chicken?

Chickpeas or firm tofu are excellent protein-rich alternatives.

Zesty Lemon and Herb Chicken Quinoa Salad

The Story

1Ingredients

2Instructions

Quick Summary

Ingredients

For the Base

For the Dressing

Method

Nutrition Snapshot

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Is this gluten-free?

What can I substitute for chicken?

Nutrition Information

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Stewart Lucas

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