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healthy summer recipes - A vibrant and colorful grilled chicken and quinoa salad with fresh vegetables and herbs in a large bowl.

Vibrant Grilled Chicken & Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette

A light, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying salad featuring perfectly grilled chicken, fluffy quinoa, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette. Perfect for healthy summer meals and meal prep!

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water or vegetable broth
Pinch of salt
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided (for chicken marinade)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (for chicken marinade)
1 clove garlic, minced (for chicken marinade)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil (for dressing)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for dressing)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced (for dressing)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by preparing your quinoa. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water or vegetable broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
Step 2: While the quinoa cooks, prepare the chicken. Pat 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry. In a shallow dish, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken breasts, turning to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Step 3: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then dice or slice into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4: Prepare the Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 clove minced garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced grilled chicken, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional).
Step 6: Pour the Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to combine, ensuring all components are evenly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Notes

For best flavor, marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes. If making ahead for meal prep, store the vinaigrette separately and add just before serving to prevent the salad from getting soggy. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving for an extra pop of flavor.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Healthy Dinner
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1.5 cups)
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: healthy summer recipes, grilled chicken salad, quinoa salad, lemon herb vinaigrette, light dinner, meal prep salad, summer meals, chicken and quinoa, mediterranean salad, fresh salad

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