• Podcast
  • Work With Me
    • Individualized Wellness Coaching
    • Small Group Wellness Coaching
    • 1-on-1 Personal Training
    • Corporate Wellness Coaching
    • Media Kit
  • About
    • Contact
    • Testimonials
    • Newsletter
  • Stress Less
  • Eat Smart
  • Move More
  • Recipes
    • Main Courses
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks & Sweet Treats
    • Beverages & Protein Shakes
  • Search
  • Home
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

FitFeedByReed Logo

Simple steps to a healthy life.

  • Podcast
  • Work With Me
    • Individualized Wellness Coaching
    • Small Group Wellness Coaching
    • 1-on-1 Personal Training
    • Corporate Wellness Coaching
    • Media Kit
  • About
    • Contact
    • Testimonials
    • Newsletter
  • Stress Less
  • Eat Smart
  • Move More
  • Recipes
    • Main Courses
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks & Sweet Treats
    • Beverages & Protein Shakes
  • Search

Cherry Chicken Quinoa Salad

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

May 24, 2019 By //  by Reed

Spring is in the air and fresh flavors like cherry, lemon and mint are all I want to eat these days. Who’s with me?! Inspired by my desire for sunshine and a warm breeze, I decided to pull these flavors together and combine them in a protein-packed quinoa salad!

This salad is hearty and filling yet refreshing with it’s light and bright flavors. I am a girl who isn’t trying to mess around with a salad that isn’t going to keep me full for a while (cause ain’t nobody got time for that), so I loaded this up with chicken and quinoa for the kind of protein and whole grains that make this fitting for a meal! Serve this tasty grain salad over a bed of greens and boom, lunch is ready. Or maybe you have fun plans for Memorial Day weekend and are looking for the perfect side dish to bring to a BBQ… just solved your conundrum 😉

Whether you are enjoying this dish in your parent’s backyard this weekend or meal prepping it for a busy week ahead, it is sure to satisfy with the bursting flavors of cherry, lemon and fresh mint. If you whip this up and want to get all fancy on the ‘gram don’t forget to tag @fitfeedbyreed and #fitfeedbyreed 🙂 Happy salad making!!

Print
Cherry Chicken Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

This protein-packed quinoa salad is great for your summer BBQ or weekly meal prep! The flavors of cherry, mint and lemon combine oh so perfectly with the chicken and quinoa, for a flavorful salad that makes a great meal, served atop a bed of greens.

Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 509 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup cherry preserves
  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup dried sweetened cherries
  • 1/3 cup mint leaves (chiffonade)
Instructions
  1. Stir together the quinoa, water and salt in a saucepan, then bring to a boil.

  2. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for ~20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.

  3. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork and let sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.

  4. While the quinoa is cooking, pour 1 Tbsp of avocado oil into a skillet and heat.

  5. Smother the chicken breasts in the cherry preserves and place in the skillet.

  6. Cook over medium heat until the chicken breasts are thoroughly cooked and the preserves are beginning to caramelize.

  7. Remove chicken breasts from the heat and cut into cubes.

  8. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the remaining 2 Tbsp of avocado oil, the lemon juice and the white wine vinegar.

  9. In a bowl, combine the quinoa, cubed chicken breast, dried cherries and mint leaves.

  10. Pour the vinaigrette over the top and stir.

  11. Voila! (store in the refrigerator)

Recipe Notes

PER SERVING:

509 cals ~ 17g fat ~ 52g carb ~ 37g protein

 

Looking for more recipes for your summer barbecue?

Check out this Simple Savory Balsamic Salad Dressing to drizzle atop greens and berries!

On dessert duty? Check out these 5-Ingredient Carrot Cake Energy Balls!

Filed Under: Blog, Main Courses, Recipes Tagged With: BBQ, chicken, dairy free, gluten free, lemon, meal prep, mint, quinoa, salad, simple, summer salad

Previous Post: « Cinnamon Roll Collagen Bites
Next Post: PB&J Banana Bread »

Primary Sidebar

Coach Reed Fitness Training

About Reed

I am a wellness fanatic, certified personal trainer (NASM, CAFS, TRX, Pre + Postnatal), nutrition coach (Pn1, Pn2), label reader, do-er of active things, nature seeker and passionate dreamer. With 9 years of experience in the wellness space, I am here to deliver coaching advice that will help simplify the confusing world of wellness. Let’s cut through the chaos of fad diets and workouts to help you create sustainable change with healthy behaviors.

My content and coaching is guided by the following principles:

  1. Stress less
  2. Eat smart
  3. Move more

Follow along for advice to calm your mind, recipes that are quick to prepare and tips to improve your daily movement.

Favorite Recipes

High Protein Taco Chili Bean Salad

High Protein Taco Chili Bean Salad (Vegan)

High Protein Taco Chili Bean Salad (Vegan)

Grain-Free Cranberry Herb Stuffed Acorn Squash

Grain-Free Cranberry Herb Stuffed Acorn Squash

Energizing Tropical Smoothie

Energizing Tropical Smoothie

Garlic Rosemary Hummus

Garlic Rosemary Hummus

Brownie Batter Balls (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)

Brownie Batter Balls (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)
Paleo Banana Bread

The Easiest Paleo Banana Bread You’ll Ever Make

The Easiest Paleo Banana Bread You’ll Ever Make

Amp Up Your Inbox

Subscribe to The Fit Feed by Reed mailing list for FREE recipes, tips, workouts and more!

Subscribe

Wellness Coaching

Are you ready to start your wellness journey? Work with Coach Reed to improve your habits, fitness, and health!

Learn About Wellness Coaching

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
FitFeedByReed Rodelle Brand Ambassador
  • Home
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2022 The Fit Feed by Reed LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TAKE HOLD OF YOUR HABITS

Habits Calendar

Join The Fit Feed Fam

Subscribe to get your EXCLUSIVE Weekly Wellness Habit Calendar!

Sign Up Now

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.