Home ยป Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad + Weekly Menu

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad + Weekly Menu

buffalochickenquinoa1

I live vicariously through many of Kristen’s stories. My best friend leads the happening single life in the hustle and bustle of Chicago. The stories, sometimes, are almost too funny to believe.

Last weekend, she was in Nashville for a bachelorette party for one of her old college roommates. She told lots of stories, one of which involved a rather “tipsy” girl who kept stealing her food. Kristen would ration the food out to her so that she was sure to get her own meal. You’d have to hear Kristen tell the story, but it sounded entertaining.

buffalochickenquinoa2

Last night, Kristen was out on Weed Street in Chicago.

My last night? Walking Lily on the beach, making friends with a furniture sales woman (I plan to visit her boutique!), and her shih tzu named Jack. Then we stopped for soft serve and called it a night. At least it was 72 degrees and absolutely perfect. The sunrise had the potential to be rather romantic, but…Mr. Prevention was not around.

Just me and my bulldog. And my soft serve.

buffalochickenquinoa3

Even with her fast-paced social life, Kristen is a Pinterest fanatic. The girl has gone from 0 to 60 and it’s all about food on her Pinterest page. Reason #12324 I love her so.

If you recall, both the Mustard-Herb Panko Crusted Chicken Breasts and Salt and Vinegar Kale Mashed Potatoes were Kristen’s finds, as well as the Black Bean Salsa with Corn, Red Peppers, and Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette (recently approved by Ma Prevention with 2 huge thumbs up). Kristen loved this Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad, too…and so she passed it along knowing I am married to Frank’s Wing Sauce’s #1 fan.

I’m shocked to say that Mr.Prevention loved this more than I. It was good, but not AMAZING. I guess, however, that also depends on how much buffalo sauce is enough buffalo sauce. This was saucy and spicy!

buffalochickenquinoa4

[print_this]

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad slightly adapted from Half Baked Harvest

Salad:
1 cup quinoa
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
2 cups broccoli florets
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
4 green onions, chopped

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Frank’s hot sauce
1/2 tsp seasoned salt

Directions:

In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse quinoa under cold running water for 1-2 minutes. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, combine quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and turn heat to low. Cook until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, combine the olive oil, hot sauce, and seasoned salt in a small bowl. Whisk well and set aside.

Heat the pot used to cook the  quinoa over medium high heat, adding a tablespoon of olive oil. Add teh chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes or until nearly cooked through. Add the broccoli and saute for about 2-3 minutes or until bright green and slightly tender. Remove from heat and stir in carrots and cabbage. Add about 1/2 of the buffalo sauce and stir.

Transfer the chicken and veggies to the bowl with the quinoa and toss with the remaining dressing. Add the blue cheese and half of the green onions. Toss again and serve warm or chilled with additional green onions.

Yield: 5 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each)

Nutrition Information (per serving): 466 calories; 23.4 g. fat; 54 mg. cholesterol; 1022 mg. sodium; 32.6 g. carbohydrate; 5.2 g. fiber; 30.4 g. protein; 5.6 g. sugar

Result: I rate this recipe a B+, Mr. Prevention would rate it an A. It was good, but it was a lot of buffalo sauce (and thus, a LOT of sodium) and some really different flavors and textures. I liked the addition of broccoli – it was probably my favorite part. I would, personally, double the broccoli and ditch the carrots and cabbage. Simple enough to make, this is a great weeknight meal. Enjoy!

[/print_this]

Weekly Menu: May 5th – May 9th

Planning a productive day of cookbooking, working out, and writing! It has been STUNNING in Michigan! 😀

Be well,

sig4

Share With Your Friends!

11 Comments

  1. Biz
    May 5, 2013 / 2:25 pm

    I loves me anything buffalo just like Mr. P., so I am sure that I would give this an A+! Enjoy your day – it’s been so nice cooking with the windows open and a wonderful breeze blowing in and the sounds of lawn mowers.

    Grilling out tonight – 24 hour marinated beef roast with roasted corn and twiced baked potatoes on the grill. Hello summer!

    This is my latest favorite beef marinade – it has used coffee grounds in it and its so good!

    http://mybizzykitchen.com/2013/03/10/best-beef-marinade-ever/

  2. The Candid RD
    May 5, 2013 / 7:04 pm

    Too funny, I was just thinking about how I never use quinoa anymore……this sounds perfect. Nick isn’t a huge fan, but with some chicken and buffalo, I’m SURE he would be!

    And, I’m still laughing at the fact that there is a WEED street.

  3. Amy
    May 7, 2013 / 3:20 pm

    Soft serve can be the perfect company! It doesn’t complain, it listens really nicely, and it tastes sweet on the lips. Some nights, I might actually prefer sharing the sunset with my dessert instead of my man! (He’s not the most romantic type…) Maybe if you promised Mr. Prevention some soft serve topped with buffalo sauce, he wouldn’t miss the next sunset! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  4. Health and Fitness
    May 9, 2013 / 2:08 am

    Sound really perfect.

  5. Shelly Felis Leo
    May 14, 2013 / 10:38 pm

    This looks really good! Would be easy to adapt for our ‘mixed marriage!’ (Husband is a vegetarian.) Could just add tofu instead and cook my chicken on the side.

    On another note, it’s nice to see a lovely blog by a Registered Dietician who actually uses her education in that blog! I look forward to following you on facebook and to trying some of your recipes!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      May 16, 2013 / 6:49 am

      I think tofu would be great in this! Thanks, Shelly for your sweet note ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Susan
    May 21, 2013 / 12:01 am

    Made this tonight and it was fantastic!! A great low calorie and super filling meal.

    I forgot to buy blue cheese so used goat cheese and it was yummy. I am watching my calories, so I used a lot less oil in the dressing – just 1/2 Tablespoon, and it was super; can’t imagine it with the full 1/3 cup of oil Then again, maybe anything covered with hot sauce would be fantastic ๐Ÿ™‚ My husband said it was the best thing he’s ever eaten. Thanks!

  7. Pingback: buffalo chicken quinoa salad | alice in cook-ING land
  8. Amanda
    May 27, 2016 / 6:35 pm

    I’ve been making this meal for at least almost 2 years and my husband STILL asks for it to be part of my weekly meal planning. Love the textures and tang of the blue cheese with all the yummy veggies.

  9. Courtney
    December 18, 2017 / 8:00 pm

    My husband and I love this recipe! (He says it’s the best thing we make.) I took your advice and do more broccoli but cut the cabbage. I also cut the amount of olive oil to 1/4 cup and don’t add any salt. It’s still SUPER tasty, filling, and satisfying. We make it at least once a month!

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      December 20, 2017 / 9:08 pm

      Love those changes, Courtney! I need to make this again soon! ๐Ÿ™‚

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get my newest recipes
Follow Me