Chicken and Quinoa Salad

This dish is so amazing! Not only is it simple to make and very colorful and pretty, it is very healthy and my kids love it! What more could you ask for? I promise you will love quinoa. It is, in my humble opinion, a million times better than rice! So light and fluffy and yummy!

Quinoa facts found here.

Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for brown rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat. Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein. Quinoa's protein is of an unusually high quality. It is a complete protein (click for info on complete proteins!), with an essential amino acid balance close to the ideal ... similar to milk!
Easy on the Stomach Quinoa is light, tasty, and easy to digest. It is not sticky or heavy like most other grains, and it has a delicious flavor all its own.

Quick and Simple to PrepareA whole-grain dish of quinoa takes just 15 minutes

Perfect for SummertimeMany people eat grains only during the colder months, but quinoa's lightness combined with its versatility in cold dishes like salads and desserts makes it an ideal source of good summertime nutrition.

Kids love it!

PREP 15 minutes COOK 15 minutes SERVES 4-6You will need: 

1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 1/2 cups ( about 6 oz) cooked, cubed chicken (boil or bake, I use my handy dandy pressure cooker)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup diced radishes ( about 4)
1/2 cup chopped seeded, peeled cucumber
1/4 cup chopped, fresh flat leaf parsley
3 TBSP toasted pine nuts

Rinse quinoa under running water to remove natural "soapy" film! Bring broth to a boil in a
medium saucepan. Stir in quinoa. Turn down heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
In a cast iron skillet, over medium heat, add pine nuts (No Oil) shaking constantly till golden brown, about 3 minutes.
In a large bowl combine chicken, radishes, onions, cucumber, parsley, quinoa and pine nuts. Toss gently to combine. 

Dressing:1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 1/2 TBSP grapeseed oil (or evoo)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 garlic clove minced
Combine all ingredients in a large measuring cup.
Whisk to combine. Pour over salad, toss gently.

NUTRITION FACTS

amount per serving

Calories 347

Calories from Fat 131 (37%)

Amount Per Serving %DV

Total Fat 14.6g 22%

Saturated Fat 2.3g 11%

Monounsaturated Fat 6.8g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3.9g

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 39mg 13%

Sodium 377mg 15%

Potassium 659mg 18%

Total Carbohydrate 33.6g 11%

Dietary Fiber 3.5g 14%

Sugars 1.1g

Protein 21.8g 43%