Chicken Avocado Quinoa Salad with Ginger Dressing (50 Minutes)

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Dive into a meal that’s as nourishing as it is flavorful with this chicken avocado quinoa salad. Combining the heartiness of quinoa with the freshness of veggies and the zing of a homemade ginger dressing, this salad ticks all the boxes for a filling, nutritious meal. Best part? It’s straightforward to put together, making it perfect for both weekday meals and special occasions.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup raw quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 ripe avocados, diced
  • 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine, etc.)
  • 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 4 green onions, chopped
For the ginger dressing:
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Quinoa (15 minutes): Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.
  2. Grill the Chicken (15 minutes): Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill on medium-high heat for about 7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through. Remove from heat, let rest for a few minutes, then slice into thin strips.
  3. Prepare the Ginger Dressing (5 minutes): In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Assemble the Salad (10 minutes): In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, purple cabbage, grated carrots, chickpeas, bell pepper, cucumber, and green onions. Layer in the cooled quinoa, sliced chicken, and diced avocados.
  5. Dress and Serve (3 minutes): Drizzle the ginger dressing over the salad and give everything a gentle toss until well combined. If desired, let the salad sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.

Notes

This chicken avocado quinoa salad is as colorful as it is flavorful. It’s perfect for meal prep; just keep the dressing on the side and add it when you’re ready to eat. If you fancy some crunch, toasted almonds or cashews make a great addition. The beauty of this salad is its versatility—feel free to swap in or out veggies based on what’s in season or what you have on hand. Paired with a glass of crisp white wine or sparkling water, this meal truly feels gourmet without the hefty price tag.

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.heresyourdinner.com/chicken-avocado-quinoa-salad-with-ginger-dressing-50-minutes/