A protein-packed salad with quinoa, chicken, fresh vegetables, and zesty lemon dressing in a crunchy mix.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup uncooked quinoa
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 large cucumber, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cups mixed salad greens
07 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1/3 cup shredded carrots
→ Crunchy Toppings
09 - 1/3 cup roasted almonds or sunflower seeds, roughly chopped
10 - 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
→ Dressing
11 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
13 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 tablespoon honey
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and allow to cool.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat, lightly greased with oil. Cook chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice or dice.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, salad greens, red onion, and shredded carrots.
04 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
05 - Add sliced chicken to the bowl with vegetables and quinoa. Pour dressing over all ingredients and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Sprinkle roasted almonds or sunflower seeds and toasted pumpkin seeds over the salad. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.
07 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days for optimal freshness.
