Quinoa salad with chicken and croutons
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Instructions
Salad
Dressing
Chicken
Croutons
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
|
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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.
