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    Home » Recipes » Lunch

    Zesty Quinoa Salad

    July 20, 2024 by christina.klapper Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This zesty quinoa salad is absolutely delicious! It’s packed in fiber, protein and healthy fats making it a balanced and delicious meal option! Whether you are bringing this dish to a potluck, meal prepping it, or enjoying it for a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner, you will not be disappointed!

    This is a closeup overview of my zesty quinoa salad. This is a close up before the salad was tossed and show cases the black beans, chopped red onions, chopped chicken breast, sliced tomatoes, quinoa and cilantro.

    If you love this easy and delicious zesty quinoa salad, you will absolutely love my low carb chicken lettuce wraps, meal prep kale and quinoa salad jars, and my meal prep fall harvest salad jars!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Lunch
    • Jump to: Recipe
    • FOOD SAFETY

    Ingredients

    This is a closeup side view of my zesty quinoa salad. This is a close up before the salad was tossed and show cases the black beans, chopped red onions, chopped chicken breast, sliced tomatoes, quinoa and cilantro.
    • Cooked Quinoa
    • Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced
    • Canned Black Beans, Rinsed and Drained
    • Red Onions, Chopped
    • Frozen Roasted Corn, Thawed: Can substitute for drained canned corn
    • Cilantro, Chopped
    • Jalapeno (Optional), Chopped
    • Pre-Marinated Fajita Chicken Breast, Cooked and Chopped: Can also use rotisserie chicken or plain raw chicken breast and season with fajita seasoning, to taste.
    • Avocado Oil
    • Lime Juice
    • Garlic Cloves, Minced
    • Salt and Pepper, To Taste

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    This is an overhead view of the zesty salad after it was tossed in a large salad bowl.
    1. Cook your quinoa and chicken breast according to the instructions on the packaging and prepare all of your ingredients per the descriptions listed above (slice your tomatoes, chop your onions, etc).
    2. Allow your quinoa to cool down, add it into a large bowl, then add in your sliced cherry tomatoes, canned rinsed and drained black beans, chopped red onions, thawed roasted corn or canned drained corn, chopped cilantro, chopped jalapenos (if using) and your cooked and chopped chicken breast.
    3. In a small container, add in your avocado oil, lime juice, minced fresh garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined and then drizzle over the salad. Toss until everything is well combined, serve and enjoy or separate into glass meal prep containers and place in the fridge for up to 4 days!

    Substitutions

    • Chicken– Use shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken if needed.
    • Vegan/Vegetarian – Skip the chicken breast to make this recipe vegetarian.

    This recipe is already dairy-free and gluten-free. Make sure that if you are using pre-marinated fajita chicken breast that there are no added fillers that contain gluten.

    Variations

    • Spicy – add chili pepper flakes and make sure to use the jalapeno to make this recipe spicy
    • Toddler/ Kid friendly – skip the jalapenos in this recipe to make this dish toddler and kid friendly!

    Equipment

    All you need to make this zesty quinoa salad is a

    • A Medium Pan: I just bought the ceramic Caraway pan and I am obsessed! 
    • A Medium Pot: This caraway pot was also part of my set!
    • Large Salad Bowl: This large salad bowl is similar to the one I have.

    Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.

    Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Meal Prep: You can also store in glass air-tight glass containers for up to 4 days.

    Top tip

    Start by preparing all of your ingredients according to the ingredient list so that you can easily add to a bowl and assemble at once!

    Lunch

    Looking for other Lunch recipes like this? Try these:

    • Chicken Fattoush Salad
    • Chicken Fajita Tacos
    • Gut Nourishing Soup
    • Ground Turkey and Zucchini Meal Prep

    Jump to: Recipe

    Zesty Quinoa Salad

    This zesty quinoa salad is absolutely delicious! It's packed in fiber, protein and healthy fats making it a balanced and delicious meal option! Whether you are bringing this dish to a potluck, meal prepping it, or enjoying it for a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner, you will not be disappointed!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, meal prep lunch
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 391 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Medium pot
    • 1 Medium Skillet
    • 1 Large Salad Bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Cups Cooked Quinoa
    • 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes Sliced
    • 1 Can of Black Beans Rinsed and Drained
    • ¼ Medium Red Onion Chopped
    • 1 Cup Frozen Roasted Corn Thawed OR 1 Can of Sweet Corn, Drained
    • 1 Bunch Cilantro Chopped
    • 1 Jalapeno Optional, Chopped
    • 8 Oz Pre-Marinated Fajita Chicken Breast Cooked and Chopped: Can also use rotisserie chicken or plain raw chicken breast and season with fajita seasoning, to taste.
    • ⅓ Cup Avocado Oil
    • 1 Lime Juiced
    • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
    • Salt and Pepper To Taste
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Cook your quinoa and chicken breast according to the instructions on the packaging and prepare all of your ingredients per the descriptions listed above (slice your tomatoes, chop your onions, etc).
    • Allow your quinoa to cool down, add it into a large bowl, then add in your sliced cherry tomatoes, canned rinsed and drained black beans, chopped red onions, thawed roasted corn or canned drained corn, chopped cilantro, chopped jalapenos (if using) and your cooked and chopped chicken breast.
    • In a small container, add in your avocado oil, lime juice, minced fresh garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined and then drizzle over the salad. Toss until everything is well combined, serve and enjoy or separate into glass meal prep containers and place in the fridge for up to 4 days!

    Video

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Christina Klapper, RDN | Easy Dinners (@easyeatsdietitian)

    Notes

    Scroll up for substitutions, variations and storage tips! 
    If you try this recipe, make sure to leave a rating and review, it would mean the world to me! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 18gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 78mgPotassium: 579mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 385IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Mexican Quinoa Salad, Quinoa Salad, Zesty Quinoa Salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    FOOD SAFETY

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Related

    More Lunch

    • Easy and Healthy Chili Mac
    • Healthy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
    • Chicken Sausage Orzo
    • Easy Slow Cooker Bison Chili

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    Hi, I'm Christina! I'm a Registered Dietitian, wife and mom that’s passionate about sharing all the tips, tricks, and recipes to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I’m a strong believer that balance is the key to success. It doesn’t need to be difficult, so come join the fun!

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