This Greek Chicken Quinoa Salad is a perfect whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or simply craving a healthy and satisfying meal. Utilizing convenient ingredients like pre-made chicken skewers from Costco, this salad is a a breeze to make and sure to be a menu planning staple!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 head lettuce, chopped
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 package Mediterranean chicken skewers from Costco
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Avocado oil spray
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook the quinoa: In a saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Prepare the ingredients: While the quinoa is cooking, chop the lettuce, cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes. If using pre-made Mediterranean chicken skewers from Costco, heat them according to the package instructions and then slice them into bite-sized pieces.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and a spray of avocado oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced Mediterranean chicken skewers. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Serve and enjoy: Transfer the Greek Chicken Quinoa Salad to serving plates or bowls. You can garnish with additional lemon wedges or fresh herbs if desired. This salad is delicious served warm or chilled, making it perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Salad:
Quick and easy: With pre-made chicken skewers and simple assembly, this salad comes together in no time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Nutritious and satisfying: Quinoa provides a hearty base packed with protein and fiber, while the Mediterranean chicken skewers add savory flavor and additional protein. The fresh vegetables contribute vitamins, minerals, and a burst of color.
Versatile and customizable: Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite toppings or additional ingredients. Add olives, cucumbers, feta cheese, or roasted red peppers for extra Mediterranean flair.
Costco convenience: Utilizing pre-made Mediterranean chicken skewers from Costco not only saves time but also ensures quality and flavor consistency.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration: Store any leftover Greek Chicken Quinoa Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days. I love storing the ingredients separately in mason jars, or even the assembled salads.
Separate Dressing: If you’re meal prepping or storing the salad for later consumption, consider keeping the dressing separate. This helps to prevent the lettuce from wilting and maintains the freshness of the salad components. Simply toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.
Individual Portions: For grab-and-go lunches or quick snacks, divide the salad into individual portions in meal prep containers. This makes it convenient to grab a healthy and satisfying meal whenever hunger strikes. These glass storage pieces make great individual meal planning containers.
Freezing Quinoa: If you’ve cooked extra quinoa and want to freeze it for future use, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Frozen quinoa can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using it in salads or other dishes.
Recipe Additions or Variations:
Greek-Inspired Hummus Dressing: Instead of the lemon juice and avocado oil dressing, try making a creamy Greek-inspired hummus dressing. Simply blend together ½ cup of hummus, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 clove of garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle this flavorful dressing over the salad for a creamy and tangy twist.
Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl: Transform the Greek Chicken Quinoa Salad into a hearty Mediterranean quinoa bowl by adding additional ingredients like sliced cucumber, diced red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Top it off with a dollop of tzatziki sauce or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and flavor.
Grilled Veggie Variation: For a vegetarian twist, omit the chicken skewers and instead grill an assortment of Mediterranean-inspired vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and red onion. Toss the grilled veggies with the cooked quinoa and cherry tomatoes, then drizzle with the lemon juice and avocado oil dressing. This grilled veggie variation adds a smoky flavor and extra dose of veggies to the salad.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber chopped
- 1 head lettuce chopped
- 1 package Mediterranean chicken skewers from Costco
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Avocado oil spray
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. In a saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- 2. While the quinoa is cooking, chop the lettuce, cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes. If using pre-made Mediterranean chicken skewers from Costco, heat them according to the package instructions and then slice them into bite-sized pieces.
- 3. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and a spray of avocado oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced Mediterranean chicken skewers. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- 5. Transfer the Greek Chicken Quinoa Salad to serving plates or bowls. You can garnish with additional lemon wedges or fresh herbs if desired. This salad is delicious served warm or chilled, making it perfect for any occasion.
SHOP THE KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
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