This chicken quinoa Caprese salad is easy, healthy and delicious! Packed with protein and fresh veggies, this salad is a full meal that’s sure to satisfy!
If you love the traditional Caprese flavors as much as we do, be sure to try our Caprese Calzones, Rosemary Caprese Skewers, Caprese Pasta Salad, and The Best Caprese Sandwich.
A Fresh & Healthy Salad Idea
As a busy working mom to an energetic toddler, I strive to eat as healthy as possible while caving occasionally to a major sweet tooth. I love to prepare easy, delicious food that is healthy too! Caprese salad (traditionally tomato, basil, mozzarella and olive oil) is a favorite of mine, but I tweaked those flavors recently and made a full meal that is really satisfying.
This quinoa Caprese salad that’s made with chicken is an easy-to-assemble meal that is packed with protein and delicious Caprese flavors. Quinoa is a good source of fiber, magnesium, iron and calcium. It has a slightly nutty flavor, but it mainly takes on the flavors you add to it. This dish involves mixing quinoa with some cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, chicken, and a healthy homemade dressing. It is as delicious as it is easy to prepare, and I think you’ll love it and make it again and again!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of cooked quinoa – cooled (2/3 uncooked)
- 1 cup of chicken, cooked and shredded or cubed
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls, cut in half
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make A Quinoa Caprese Salad
Make The Quinoa – Quinoa cooks quickly, in about 8 minutes, but for this recipe you will want your quinoa to be cooled completely. Plan to let it cool in the refrigerator for at least an hour after making it.
Prep The Chicken – The easiest way to make this salad is to start with some rotisserie chicken breasts that are chopped or shredded. If you don’t have any, you can grill 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in olive oil for a few minutes.
Mix – In a large bowl, add the quinoa, chicken, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese. Mix everything until combined.
Homemade Dressing – In a separate bowl, mix the oil and vinegar until well combined. Next, pour the dressing over the Caprese quinoa salad. Toss gently to evenly coat.
Final Touch – You can sprinkle the salad with salt and pepper if you’d like to, or eat it as is!
More Delicious Recipes Using Quinoa
There you go, a bright, refreshing and filling Caprese quinoa salad! Doesn’t it look so good??? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you thought. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, so you can be one of the first to see our latest recipes.
Chicken Quinoa Caprese Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked quinoa - cooled, 2/3 uncooked
- 2 cup of chicken, cooked and shredded or cubed
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (about 2 cups), cut in half
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the quinoa, chicken, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. Mix to combine.
- In a separate bowl, mix the oil and vinegar until well combined, then pour over the quinoa mixture. Toss gently to evenly coat.
- You can sprinkle the salad with salt and pepper if you'd like to, or eat it as is!
Notes
The easiest way to make this salad is to start with some rotisserie chicken breasts that are chopped or shredded. If you don't have any, you can grill 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in olive oil for a few minutes.
Nutrition
Other Notes
ENJOY!
This looks delish! My kids will love it, too, since it has a lot of their favorite flavors and can travel well as a non-sandwich school lunch.
That looks so good! It has all of my favorites but with a new twist. Definitely trying this one.