A deliciously light, refreshing Asian Chicken Quinoa Bowl loaded with grilled chicken, celery, mandarin oranges, and sliced almonds in a rice wine vinaigrette.
Let’s talk for a minute about eating out, shall we?? What are your thoughts? I, for one, am a huge fan of it! There is nothing I love more than getting a little dressed up (or at least dressed – ha!), getting out of the house, and ending up at a place where someone else makes my meal FOR me! AND cleans up after it!
But. I must admit I’m a little bit picky about when and where and how often we eat out….and by picky, I mean I really have a hard time spending money on something I could just as easily make at home! Like sandwiches. Or noodle bowls. Or chicken nuggets. Just like I have a hard time spending money on food that’s terrible for me and my kids! I just can’t do it!
Which pretty much rules out fast food as a whole….and makes me hesitant about semi-fast options like Panera, Noodles, or Jimmy John’s (all things I could easily replicate in my own kitchen)! I’m more “specific” (aka picky) in my preferences, and 9 times out of 10, I’d opt for something other than American. Something more along the lines of…..Asian! Give me Thai, give me Japanese, give me Chinese…whatever it is, I’m one happy gal!
One of the reasons I love it so much (aside from the delicious flavors) is because it’s not something I make very often at home. Probably because I’m not totally comfortable with all those delicious flavors! That being said, I knocked it out of the park with this Asian Chicken Quinoa Bowl! The combination of ingredients is just right, and using quinoa as the base means it’s full of protein, fiber, and other great nutrients. This is totally something I’d order at a restaurant….only now I don’t have to!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
- 1/2 c. cooked chicken chopped
- 1/2 c. mandarin oranges
- 1/4 c. sliced almonds
- 1/4 c. chopped celery
- 1 sliced green onion
Dressing
- 1/4 c. canola or sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. sugar
- fresh parsley
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Combine quinoa, chicken, celery, and green onion in a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
- In a separate container, mix dressing ingredients and shake/stir until well blended.
- Pour dressing over quinoa mixture.
- Gently stir in mandarin oranges and top with sliced almonds.
Also be sure to check out my Quinoa Taco Bowls!
As much as I love to cook, I love having a night off to eat out. I get lots of inspiration from restaurants, and I try to recreate things at home all the time. 🙂 This salad looks like something I need to make soon — I love Asian inspired salads and I love the idea of using quinoa too!
I love to go out to eat. Like, love it. We go out at least once a week … but I always order healthy! And I’m totally with you – fast food is NEVER an option!
I love salads (and often order them when we are out!) and when I make them at home, I just toss in whatever is leftover! I’m a big fan of hearty salads! This looks fantastic with the quinoa and chicken … and that dressing! YUM!! I’m totally making this for dinner next week! Putting it on the menu plan now! 🙂
I had no idea you love Asian food so much. I’m picky with restaurants too. Would you like to join me sometime for a tour of a huge Asian Grocery Store? I think you’d get kick out of all aisles of just noodles and funky produce!
Oh this sounds amazing and so refreshing Cathy, perfect for the summer! I am also a lover of asian food so I will definitely be trying this one! 🙂
Yummy!! I need to eat more Quinoa! This is a perfect recipe for me!
One look at how short that ingredient list was and I’m hooked! Looks so easy!
We don’t eat out too often – but like you, I like to eat things I wouldn’t necessarily make at home! I have some quinoa in the pantry – this looks perfect!