This quinoa salad recipe is made with chicken, apples, red onion, and pecans. It is topped with a tangy dressing.
Last month I saw several delicious salads that used quinoa as a main ingredient. I did not have the exact ingredients for any of the recipes, so I decided to experiment and ended up creating a new family favorite.
This recipe is very flexible! I have made several variations depending on what ingredients I have on hand. I was thinking of adding more items to the salad, but I ran out of room in the bowl and decided that was my cue to stop.
I think this salad tastes best cold, so be sure to make it ahead of time, so you can allow it to chill for at least 2 hours. If you wish you can make this a day or two ahead of time, so you can just pull it out of the refrigerator on a busy night and serve it.
This quinoa salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Quinoa Salad Recipe with Chicken
This chicken quinoa salad recipe includes apple, red onion, and chopped pecans. It is paired with a tangy dressing.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked quinoa
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 small Fuji apples, cored and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup balsamic Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (or sugar of your choice)
Directions:
1. Add the quinoa, chicken, apple, onion, and pecans to a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Italian dressing, and sugar.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until the salad is completely coated in the dressing.
4. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
I like to serve my quinoa salad on a bed of greens. The dressing from the quinoa salad dripped down onto the greens, creating a delicious second salad rather than a puddle on the plate.
Printable Recipe for Quinoa Salad with Chicken
Quinoa Salad Recipe with Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked quinoa
- 2 cups cooked chicken cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 small Fuji apples cored and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup red onion diced
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup balsamic Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or sugar of your choice
Instructions
- Add the quinoa, chicken, apple, onion, and pecans to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Italian dressing, and sugar.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until the salad is completely coated in the dressing.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
I love these easy one-dish salads, but since I grew up on meat with 2 side dishes for dinner I always feel like I am shortchanging my family a course or two. I don’t feel bad enough to change my lazy ways, but I still feel a little guilty. Am I the only one who feels this way? Do you feel guilty when you serve an easy one-dish meal?
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Oh boy does this look good! What time is dinner? 🙂
Alea says
Requi- I hope you enjoy quinoa when you try; we love it. It has a little pop to it when you eat it. The texture is different than rice and it has a slightly nutty flavor.
April- My husband and kids enjoy my meals, so I guess it is time for me to let go of the meat and 2 sides guilt!
Sheila – I will assemble a list of recipe ideas for your quinoa and email you this weekend.
Sheila says
I bought some quinoa recently but wasn't really sure how to use it. I bought the quinoa because I thought it might be a better choice for my husband who has diabetes–now–the trick it is to get him to even try it!! Thanks for sharing. Hope everyone in your house is feeling better. Take care.
April@The 21st Century Housewife says
Years ago, I used to feel guilty when I served a one dish meal because my husband's mum used to constantly talk about serving "meat and two veg". But then my husband took me aside and told me he genuinely loved my cooking and not to listen or change anything, so I don't feel guilty anymore 🙂
Your quinoa salad sounds really delicious. I can't believe I still haven't tried quinoa! I definitely need to remedy that, and your salad is a great place to start!
Requi@Tablescaping Escapades says
Mmmm, sounds delicious. I have to admit, I googled quinoa. Since I've decided to use more brown rice instead of white rice, I'm also going to try the quinoa.
All the Best,
Requi