Description
This kid-friendly quinoa fruit chicken salad is a perfect meal for busy parents. It combines protein, grains, and fruit for a nutritious and appealing dish that even picky eaters will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup chopped apple (about 1 small apple)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped celery (optional, for crunch)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the cooled cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, chopped apple, dried cranberries, and chopped celery (if using).
- In a small separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), fresh lemon juice, honey (if using), salt, and pepper (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa and chicken mixture.
- Gently stir everything together until all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, add a little more mayonnaise or yogurt.
- If your child prefers a smoother texture, you can finely mince the chicken and apple.
- This salad is great for meal prep; make a big batch and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Serve this salad in lettuce cups, on small whole wheat crackers, or as a sandwich filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (if chicken and quinoa are pre-cooked)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup