Easy Quinoa Salad with Rooster • Kath Eats

This straightforward quinoa salad with rooster is an ideal gluten-free, wholesome salad to take to somebody who wants additional nourishment and love! With veggies, feta cheese, olives, numerous herbs, and rooster, it’s an all-in-one lunch or gentle dinner. 

One among my good associates broke her kneecap, and I made her this Quinoa Salad that’s excellent for sending to a pal who wants a little bit additional nourishment—or for stocking your individual fridge on a prep day. It’s easy to make, loaded with wholesome components, and filled with vibrant flavors and textures.

I’ve been on a really lengthy streak of Mediterranean components this yr, 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 rooster tenders.

Quinoa Salad Substances + Why They’re Good For You!

• Quinoa: This historic grain brings each fiber and full plant protein to the desk, which suggests lasting power and regular blood sugar. It’s gluten-free, filling, and makes a wonderful base for all these add-ins.
• Rooster Tenders: Lean, high-quality protein ensures this can be a balanced meal—excellent for restoration or simply feeling grounded and glad.
• 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 good 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 all the things and convey a great deal of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: Vitamin C bonus, plus simply the best zing to marry all of the salad elements.
• Olive Oil: Retains issues heart-healthy and helps your physique take in these fat-soluble nutritional vitamins.

What Makes This Salad So Straightforward

1. Minimal cooking: Simply quinoa and rooster—each forgiving and easy.
2. One-bowl toss (after you’ve acquired your components prepared): No sophisticated layering or fancy plating—simply combine and go.
3. Completely versatile: Swap in no matter herbs, seasoning, or add-ins you’ve got readily available.
4. Make-ahead pleasant: Retains nicely within the fridge—and tastes nice chilly or barely warmed.

Serving + Sharing

If you happen to’re delivering this to a pal, pack it in a sturdy container with a little bit additional dressing on the aspect. I ended up retaining the rooster separate in a to-go pan for straightforward reheating and since my pal’s children didn’t need all of it blended up!

How To Make This Easy Quinoa Salad

Substances (serves 4-6)

• 2 cups dry quinoa
• 2 lbs rooster 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: Cook dinner quinoa

Cook dinner quinoa per package deal till fluffy and tender.

Step 3: Prep and prepare dinner rooster

Pat rooster dry, season (I really like lemon-pepper or Italian seasoning), frivolously drizzle with olive oil, and bake 15–17 minutes till cooked via.

Step 4: Prep components

Whereas rooster 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. Prime with rooster—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 number of recipes from Kath’s archives which can be in the identical queen-of-prep-day fashion:

• Feta and Herb Quinoa Salad – An easy herb-forward model with purple peppers, feta, and recent blended herbs drenched in lemon-olive oil goodness. Tremendous easy and excellent 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 scorching, 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 vitamin and taste with comfort.

Extra salads you may like!