New Year High Protein Salad (Printable)
A vibrant salad featuring quinoa, chickpeas, chicken, and crisp vegetables with a zesty vinaigrette.
# List of ingredients:
→ Protein
01 - 1 cup cooked quinoa (5.99 oz)
02 - 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (14.11 oz)
03 - 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced (5.29 oz)
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (2.65 oz), optional
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (5.29 oz)
06 - 1 cup cucumber, diced (4.23 oz)
07 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced (1.76 oz)
08 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (0.88 oz)
09 - 2 cups baby spinach leaves (2.12 oz)
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
17 - 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
# Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, drained chickpeas, diced chicken breast, and crumbled feta if using.
02 - Add cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and baby spinach leaves to the bowl. Toss gently to mix evenly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds on top of the salad.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It feels indulgent and virtuous at once, loaded with texture and flavor without the guilt.
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in minutes when hunger strikes.
- It adapts to whatever protein you have on hand, making it endlessly flexible.
02 -
- Dress the salad only when you are ready to eat, otherwise the spinach wilts and the quinoa turns mushy.
- If using chicken, let it cool completely before adding or it will wilt the greens and make the bowl lukewarm.
03 -
- Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet until they start to pop, it takes one minute and transforms them completely.
- Use a microplane to grate the garlic instead of mincing, it distributes more evenly and tastes less sharp.