Quinoa salad with chicken and croutons

Quinoa salad with chicken and croutons

30 min
Fresh, sweet, and bursting with flavours, this quinoa salad with chicken and croutons is a great choice when you are having guests over for dinner or lunch. Quinoa has become a popular choice for salads, probably because of its soft texture and mild flavours. It is the perfect foundation for soaking up flavours from other ingredients – in this recipe, we pair it with juicy chicken, fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, and a refreshing dressing.
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Instructions

Salad
  • Cook quinoa until tender, then cool.
  • Slice and chop spinach, peaches, nectarines, asparagus, and herbs.
  • Combine everything, including pomegranate, in a large salad bowl.
Dressing
  • Mix all the ingredients and adjust the seasoning to taste. Set aside and drizzle over the salad just before serving.
Chicken
  • Cover chicken fillets with plastic wrap and pound until they have an even thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Fry seasoned side down in oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, flip over, and cook for 3 minutes. Flip over one more time and cook through on low heat.
  • Allow the chicken fillets to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into strips and adding to the salad.
Croutons
  • Preheat the oven to 200°C (conventional oven).
  • Cut bread into large cubes and spread out on a baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle with crushed garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to make sure they are coated in oil on all sides.
  • Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper before baking for about 15 minutes until golden and crispy. Stir the croutons regularly to ensure they toast evenly. Let cool slightly before adding them to the salad.
Enjoy!
Tip

Leftover bread is an excellent choice for making the perfect crispy and crunchy croutons for your salad. Put your day-old bread to great use by letting it absorb the butter and turn golden brown for you to enjoy.

Tip

When combining the ingredients for the salad, do so gently to avoid crushing or bruising the fruits and vegetables. Use a large spoon or salad tongs to distribute everything evenly.

Ingredients

Salad
Quinoa
150 g
White cheese
200 g
Spinach leaves
200 g
Peaches
4
Nectarines
4
Pomegranate
1
Green asparagus mini
1 handful
Large handful of chervil
1
Large handful of mint
1
Dressing
Lemon
1
Honey
2½ tsp
Olive oil
50 ml
Salt and pepper
Chicken
Chicken fillets
3
Oil, preferably canola oil or half canola, half olive oil
100 ml
Salt and pepper
Croutons
Bread
1
Clove of garlic
1
Olive oil
4 tbsp
Salt and pepper

A deliciously sweet and crispy quinoa salad with chicken

Every day is perfect for a deliciously sweet and crispy quinoa salad with juicy, tender chicken. Because of its many great flavours, this salad can serve as a deluxe lunch or a main course. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs mix with the soft quinoa and the tender chicken to create a wonderfully balanced meal, exploring every flavour from the sweet and fresh to the spicy and tangy. Top off the salad with white cheese and homemade croutons.

Filled with sweet fruits, crisp vegetables, and fresh herbs

To balance the nutty notes from the quinoa and the richness of the chicken, we fill the salad with sweet fruits, crisp vegetables, and fresh herbs, each providing flavour, texture, and colour.

The nectarines, peaches, and pomegranates allow for a citrusy sweetness that cuts through the deep flavours of the chicken and quinoa. Asparagus and spinach add a green vibrancy and a crispy freshness to the salad, while mint and chervil ensure garden-fresh aromas.

Crispy croutons meet tender chicken

In this quinoa salad, crispy croutons meet tender chicken to create delicious nuances in both flavour and texture. The quinoa soaks up flavour from the juicy chicken, ensuring that each mouthful is rich and flavourful. To balance the softness and tenderness, we make crunchy croutons to top off the serving. The croutons also provide buttery notes that balance the freshness and crispness of the fruits and vegetables. So, while the fruits and vegetables play an integral part in this flavourful quinoa salad, the combination of crispy croutons and tender chicken also deserves applause.

Dressed with a honey and lemon dressing

To get the best experience, we drizzle the quinoa salad with a sweet and refreshing honey lemon dressing. Even though the mixture is simple, the dressing remains a popular choice for those who want to add a burst of freshness to their salads. As the dressing coats each ingredient, it assists in bringing out their natural flavours. It is a great, easy-to-make addition to the quinoa salad with chicken and croutons if you like extra depth and complexity.

If you want to make other salads, try our green salad with salad cheese and croutons or our tasty salad with potatoes, dill, and eggs.

Make it your own

Make the recipe your own by adding or substituting ingredients. Go for a grilled chicken to add a smoky, charred flavour. The grilling process caramelises the sugars in the chicken, creating a delicious umami taste. The smoky flavours complement the sweet fruits and fresh vegetables very well.

Toasted nuts and seeds can add depth and texture. Choose, for example, toasted almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for a satisfying crunch and nutty flavour.

A great place to get creative is with the salad dressing. Try a simple balsamic vinaigrette that balances the sweet and tangy flavours, much like the honey and lemon dressing. To get a creamier dressing with a touch of citrus, try an avocado and lime dressing.