Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl
Makes 4 To-Go lunch boxes
This recipe can be served as a full dinner or try it on the go. Recently we hiked in Moab and it made for a great energy-boosting lunch.
Grilled Chicken
2 breasts or 4 thighs of grilled, cooled, and cubed chicken
(Use leftover chicken or marinade and grill before serving)
We mentioned Olivelle’s sprice rub. Check out their website here.
For the Salad:
1Yellow Pepper – diced
1 Red Pepper – diced
4 Green Onions – diced
1/4 Red Onion – small diced
1 Can of Black Beans – rinsed
1 Bunch of Cilantro – rinsed and chopped
1 Cup of Quinoa – cook 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water. Add salt and oil to water for flavor
(can be substituted with brown rice)
1 Lime zested and juiced in Quinoa once cooled on the stove – fluff with a fork
Salted Sunflower Seeds – to top the salad
Dressing
3/4 C of Avocado Oil
3 T Rice Vinegar (taste and add a bit more if needed)
1 Lime – zested and juiced
1 Garlic Clove
2 t of canned chipotle in adobo – puréed in blender then measure (use 1t for a less spicy taste)
1T of honey (or agave if you are allergic to honey)
1 bunch of cleaned cilantro
Dressing Instructions:
Using a blender combine Rice Vinegar, Lime Juice, Zest, Garlic Clove, Purred Chipotle, and honey. Pulse to blend then add your oil. Blend again. Then add cilantro and blend until fully combined.
In a “to go” box or a bowl add one scoop of Quinoa then chopped peppers, top with diced chicken, add green onions, red onion, diced cilantro, finish with salted sunflower seeds and dressing.
Great recipe, thanks for sharing. What’s that cool little blender you’re using?
Thanks for the recipe. We love your grilled chicken taco recipe too.
That’s a magic bullet!! The best little blender ever!
Can you use an immersion blender?
This looks so good and healthy too!! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!! Can’t wait to make for Glen this weekend!!
YAY!
We’re in Big Bend, watched y’all last night, and are preparing the yummy chicken recipe for tomorrow’s meal when we return from kayaking Santa Elena Pass. Perfect timing, thanks for sharing!
Sweet! Hope you liked it!
Can’t wait to try it!! Thanks
Hey there Betty –
Hope you love it. There are all kinds of things you can do with it.
Have fun! Tricia
We are trying this tonight with some Pork Carnitas. It turned out yummy. Thank you for sharing!
Hey there Theresa!
Oh wow – that sounds AMAZING!!
Way to be creative with your cooking. All the best, Tricia
I had to get more creative, as I didn’t have avocado oil. I used olive oil and an avocado. 🙂
I work as a nurse so I’m always looking for yummy, healthy recipes that make a great make and take for my lunch! I will definitely be trying this one! Thanks Tricia!
That’s great! Travels well.
Oh yay! I am so glad you added this to your website! We are gearing up for a month on the road this summer, and have been watching your videos for ideas. We all love watching your adventures! (We wish we could go longer, but my husband is a firefighter so…cant do that from the road. ???? Retirement goals though!) Would love more recipes that are easy to make on the road, so keep em’ coming!
Sounds good! Hope you are having a Summer to remember!
Just made this, and it was fantastic- thanks Trish. Very fresh and crunchie.
From sunny Newcastle, Australia
So cool!
Hi,
Going to Olivelle’s site, which rub did you use on the chicken for your Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl? Seriously, you should publish a cookbook for RV camping! I think it is great how while on the road, you cook such fabulous meals for your family! They are blessed!! Kathy
It’s Sweet Smoked Chilli Rub. Hope you have been able to make this already!
Made this last night with brown rice! Delicious! Keep sharing your recipies! This one was great.
Great!
We love this recipe at our house — add what you like, subtract what you don’t. The dressing is so flavorful, it’s a great foundation for whatever fits for your household. For entertaining, you can keep each “topping” separate and each person can customize their own Tricia’s Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl!!! Delicious!
Thank You Leach Family . . . your online content is fantastic! Great work from the entire family!
Yay!
I finally got your recipe and I can’t wait to try it!! Thank you for this and I personally love to see you cook healthy meals that we can also use on our full time travels!
I just wanted to say how much I love this recipe. I’ve made it multiple times because it’s just so delicious and easy to keep in the fridge for a grab and go meal. We are weekend warriors and I made a batch for this weekends trip! First time for my family but I know they will love it!
Thanks Guys, Your Recipe Was Too Fantastic. Me and My Family Loved it. I Will Share your Rrecipe with my friends. Hope they will love it too.
Can’t wait to try it. It sounds delish. Thank you.
This has become one of my go to salads. I skip the cilantro and use a green goddess dressing instead. Thanks for the great idea!
This is SO GOOD. I added corn as well and I made sure to oven roast the corn, black beans and peppers. Also added some fresh sliced avocado on top. Thank you so much! Fresh, healthy and filling!
Making this tonight! Thanks for all the healthy, yummy, inspiring recipes!
Shannon fam
I’ve made this several times and shared it with friends and we all LOVE it! I wish it had made it into your cookbook though. It would have been great to have had all my favorite recipes of yours in one handy place!