This easy everyday salad has it all. It is nutrient rich, satiating and just the right amount of crunch. Nothing beats this salad in my opinion!
This everyday salad is made with mixed greens, fluffy quinoa, baked chicken, artichokes, kalamata olives, banana peppers and a balsamic vinaigrette. You can see why this salad is so satiating with the protein rich chicken and quinoa, and finishes with a tart bite from the olives and peppers. This easy salad makes for a perfect and complete lunch.
Health Benefits of this Easy Everyday Salad:
Artichokes are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, in fact, the antioxidant score is so high in artichokes that they are known as a cancer fighting food, because of their ability to fight free radicals. Artichokes lipidic and glycemic reducing abilities helps fight against many heart related diseases and issues as well. To add to this, artichokes are also great at detoxing the liver and digestive system by specific antioxidants that benefit the liver and the gall bladder.
Quinoa: You either love it or hate it! Quinoa can taste bland to many, but I think it makes a great addition when added to other foods, you can also cook with bone broth instead of water to really bring out its flavor. Quinoa, like artichokes, are rich in antioxidants, making it another great cancer fighting food. Since quinoa is rich in potassium, magnesium, and healthy fats, it’s also a great heart healthy food. Little did I know when I was making this salad, that it would greatly fight cancer and benefit the heart!
To Make:
It’s great to already have some baked chicken on hand to make this salad easy to make during the week, but if not, baking chicken takes about 30 minutes in the oven. Do this before you make your salad. Next, cook your quinoa. Add 1/4 cup quinoa (more if you want to store for later) to a pot on the stove. Cover it with water about 1 inch. Add some salt and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until it is fluffy with a fork.
Add remaining ingredients to a salad bowl. Don’t forget your cooked quinoa and chicken. Drizzle with some balsamic or Italian dressing and enjoy!
If you like this recipe, you will love this Healthy Caesar Salad!
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Easy Everyday Salad
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 large salad 1x
Ingredients
2 large handfuls mixed greens
1/4 cup quinoa, will cook to 1/2 cup
few strips of sliced, baked chicken
about 6 kalamata olives
spoonful of banana peppers*
roughly 5 artichokes from a can
balsamic or italian dressing both taste great in this salad
Instructions
It’s great to already have some baked chicken on hand to make this salad easy to make during the week, but if not, baking chicken takes about 30 minutes in the oven. Do this before you make your salad.
Next, cook your quinoa. Add 1/4 cup quinoa (more if you want to store for later) to a pot on the stove. Cover it with water about 1 inch.
Add some salt and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until it is fluffy with a fork.
Add remaining ingredients to a salad bowl.
Don’t forget your cooked quinoa and chicken.
Drizzle with some balsamic or Italian dressing and enjoy!
Notes
*Try to look for banana peppers with no food coloring, if possible. I have found some at Whole Foods
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
