Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad
Apr 11, 2026 11:17 AM
A hearty, healthy salad recipe featuring nutrient-rich quinoa and red cabbage, tender chicken, and lots of zesty citrus flavor. Fresh, bright, protein-packed, and naturally gluten-free, this citrus chicken quinoa salad makes a perfect light dinner or make-ahead lunch.
If you love hearty salads that actually fill you up, this citrus chicken quinoa salad deserves a spot on your regular rotation. It’s fresh, colorful, and full of texture: tender chicken, nutty quinoa, crunchy cabbage, creamy avocado, and juicy oranges. Pile it on a bed of greens and you’ve got a wholesome all-in-one meal that’s sure to satisfy.
This isn’t one of those “mostly lettuce” salads. Every bite is packed with satisfying ingredients, making it perfect for healthy lunches, light dinners, or meal prep for the week.
The flavor combination is simple but incredibly good: savory garlic-paprika chicken, sweet citrus, and a fresh honey-lime-cilantro dressing. Everything soaks into the quinoa, so the leftovers taste even better the next day.
If you enjoy grain bowls and protein-packed salads, this is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Ingredients:
Salad
- 1 and 1/2 cups (260g) cooked quinoa (around 1/2 cup dry)
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1.25 pounds (565g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (140g) shredded red/purple cabbage
- 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1 avocado, sliced or cubed
- optional: 1/4 cup (40g) crumbled feta cheese
- optional: 2 Tablespoons (20g) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- optional: greens for serving, such as spinach or arugula
Dressing
- 1/4 cup (60g/ml) fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup (7g) chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt + pepper, to taste
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
40 minutes
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