This chicken and quinoa salad bowl makes a fantastic energy-boosting lunch!
I don't know about you, but lunchtime sandwiches always make me feel so lethargic. A biscuit (or three) usually follows soon after in an effort try to wake me back up again (like that's actually gonna work!).
So I'm on the hunt for energy boosting lunches!
Food that makes you feel fantastic, but tastes amazing. Being able to make it ahead is a major bonus too - as I'm terrible for grabbing a sandwich or a slice of cake come midday because I can't be bothered to make something.
If you have a favourite quick and easy lunch idea I'd LOVE to hear!
This is my current favourite salad. Roast chicken, piles of quinoa and salad all served with creamy avocado, salty feta and a citrus-y lemon vinaigrette!
Make it the night before, look forward to it all morning, then probably tuck in about 10:30am.....
I hope you enjoy this yummy Chicken and Quinoa Salad Bowl.
More Energising Lunch Ideas
Still hungry for more? I have got quite a selection of Energising Lunches, such as:
The Chicken and Quinoa Salad Bowl Recipe:
Chicken and Quinoa Salad Bowl
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 cup) Quinoa - (I used three-colour quinoa, but regular is fine)
- 1 vegetable stock cube - crumbled (or 1 heaped tsp of bouillon powder for gluten free)
- 70 g (2.5 oz) baby spinach
- 1 ripe avocado - peeled and de-stoned and roughly chopped
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- ½ clove garlic - peeled and minced
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 70 g (2.5 oz) salad leaves
- 2 cooked chicken breasts - I like to use the meat from a whole roasted chicken, cut into slices
- ¼ red onion - peeled and sliced
- 10 cherry tomatoes - sliced in half
- 100 g (1 cup minus 1 tbsp) feta - crumbled
- small bunch fresh parsley - chopped
Lemon vinaigrette:
- juice of 2 lemons
- 100 ml (½ cup minus 2 tsp) extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the quinoa in a pan with the stock cube and water. Cook as per pack instructions (usually this is 600ml of water for 200g quinoa, then boil and simmer for 20 mins). Place the baby spinach in the pan on top of the quinoa and place a lid on for the last minute to wilt the spinach. Remove the lid and leave to cool.200 g (1 cup) Quinoa, 1 vegetable stock cube, 70 g (2.5 oz) baby spinach
- Make the vinaigrette by whisking all of the vinaigrette ingredients together.100 ml (½ cup minus 2 tsp) extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste, juice of 2 lemons
- Place the chopped avocado in a bowl with the lemon juice, garlic salt and pepper. Mash together roughly with a fork (I like to leave a mine quite lumpy and rustic looking).1 ripe avocado, ½ tsp lemon juice, ½ clove garlic, pinch of salt and pepper
- Place the cooked quinoa in a large serving bowl. Top with the salad leaves, sliced chicken, wilted spinach, mashed avocado, red onion slices, cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta. Sprinkle with parsley before serving with the vinaigrette.70 g (2.5 oz) salad leaves, 2 cooked chicken breasts, ¼ red onion, 10 cherry tomatoes, 100 g (1 cup minus 1 tbsp) feta, small bunch fresh parsley
✎ Notes
Nutrition
Natasha Risk says
I haven't even started yet but i know im gonna enjoy it thoroughly... Thanks for sharing
Shari Mubarak says
This salad was so awesome. It is full of flavour and so many great things going on. You can easily omit the chicken and it'll still be so filling! Just amazing and it's joined the family favourite in my household.
Katy says
This was absolutely delicious, the portion was way too big for me at lunch time, but made a fab dinner.
Karen says
Hi. The salad looks so yummy! Am I able to make this days in advance for a make ahead lunch prep? I would not add the vinaigrette until ready to eat. Thanks!
Sri Mallya says
This looks amazingly delicious and flavorful! I can have this anytime 🙂
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks so much Sri 🙂
Paula@Paula's Plate says
Yum! This looks like a wonderful energy-boosting lunch. Because of the hot weather I've been on a big salad kick recently. I can't wait to give this a try!
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Paula, hope you enjoy it 🙂
Corina says
I would love this for lunch! So many delicious flavours I'd certainly be full up all afternoon too!
Nicky Corbishley says
You're right there Corina 🙂 Thanks!