Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe

Grilled chicken on lime avocado quinoa salad

97

  • Makes6 Servings
By Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming
Grain-Power-cover-patricia-green-carolyn-hemming

Grilled chicken on lime avocado quinoa salad recipe Photo, Ryan Szulc

Chatelaine Triple Tested

Ancient grains like amaranth, buckwheat and millet may not be pantry staples (yet!), but they’re all gluten-free, nutritious and delicious. The recipes in Grain Power introduce new tastes and textures into everyday dishes like this chicken and quinoa salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 cup quinoa

  • 1/4 cup unrefined organic canola oil

  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, about 1 1/2 limes

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar, or cider vinegar

  • 1 tsp honey, or pure maple syrup

  • 1/4 tsp cumin

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • pinch cayenne pepper

  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

  • 1 avocado, diced

  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper

  • 1/3 cup minced red onion

  • 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

  • 4 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced

  • 3/4 cup broken, unsalted tortillas, gluten-free if required

  • 1/4 cup shredded, reduced-fat aged cheddar, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the barbecue on high.

  • Combine the water and quinoa in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce a simmer, cover and cook for 13 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

  • Whisk together the oil, lime juice, vinegar, honey, cumin, salt, cayenne and cilantro. Gently toss the avocado with the dressing and set aside.

  • Place the cooled quinoa, red pepper, red onion and avocado in a medium bowl. Gently toss and set aside.

  • Grill chicken breasts until they reach 170°F (80°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from grill and set aside for 7 to 10 minutes. Slice into ½-inch (1 cm) slices.

  • Place 3/4 to 1 cup (175 to 250 mL) shredded lettuce on each plate and top with the avocado mixture. Top with slices of chicken breast, tortilla pieces and shredded cheddar (if using). Serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories 410, Protein 20g, Carbohydrates 42g, Fat 7g, Fibre 19g, Sodium 180mg.

This zesty lime and creamy avocado salad is served on a bed of crisp lettuce. Top with crunchy tortillas and cheese, if desired. Just leave out the chicken for a vegetarian dish.

Grain-Power-cover-patricia-green-carolyn-hemming Grain Power cookbook
Photo, Sian Richards

Ancient grains like amaranth, buckwheat and millet may not be pantry staples (yet!), but they’re all gluten-free, nutritious and delicious. The recipes in Grain Power introduce new tastes and textures into everyday dishes like Chicken on Lime Avocado Quinoa Salad, Caramel Apple Buckwheat Crêpes and to-die-for Lemon & Blueberry Ancient Grain Pound Cake.

Grain Power, Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming, $32.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.