Chicken Pomegranate and Cashew Quinoa Salad

This Chicken Pomegranate and Cashew Quinoa Salad is a delicious main course salad that proves that healthy doesn't have to mean sacrifice! Today has been such a busy day! Alex turns eight tomorrow and I've been busy making and filling cupcakes, making an ice cream cake and wrapping presents. (All while trying to wrangle two little boys who are jacked up on cupcake holes and the excitement of the Christmas/Birthday double whammy.)

This is normally the kind of day that I'd forget about a healthy lunch, so I was really glad I had this recipe planed for today.

It was exactly what I needed after a long morning in the kitchen! Light and refreshing, this works great as a weekday salad for lunch, but would also be a fabulous addition to your holiday table!

Don’t let the long ingredient list of this salad scare you – it comes together quickly.

The process goes something like this: Make the simple marinate for your tempeh or chick’n and set aside. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Whisk together the dressing in a small bowl. Start putting the salad together and start grilling your chicken. Finish the salad and plate it. Top with the avocado. When the chicken is done, slice and add to the salad. Dress and serve! Start to finish it is less than 30 minutes. (Of course this will vary if you are using Chicken as you will need to make sure it isn’t pink in the center.)

I'm off to finish the last minute details to get ready for our big day tomorrow. Then I'll start processing the fact that eight years have gone by since I first fell in love with my son. I love you Alex and am so proud of all that you are!

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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Pomegranate and Cashew Quinoa Salad

This Chicken Pomegranate and Cashew Quinoa Salad is a delicious main course salad that proves that healthy doesn't have to mean sacrifice!

Prep Time25 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Gluten Free, Healthy, Quinoa

Servings: 4

Calories: 332kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• Chicken
• 10 oz Chicken or tempeh or Garden Chick’n Scaloppini*, Beyond Meat Strips or Chicken
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• Dressing
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt dairy or non-dairy
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1-2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar or white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salad
• 3 cups fresh salad greens
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• ½ red onion sliced thin
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• ¼ cup cashews
• 1 avocado pitted and diced

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• In a small bowl combine lemon juice, sea salt, paprika and pepper. Whisk until combined. Place tempeh, chick’n or chicken in a shallow dish and pour the mixture over. Set aside for 15 minutes. In a grill pan or indoor grill, cook until golden brown and cooked through. Allow to cool slightly and cut into thin strips.
• Meanwhile, make dressing by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and whisking together.
• In a large bowl combine greens, quinoa, red onion, pomegranate and cashews. Toss until combined. Divide mixture between four plates and top with chick’n and avocado. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Notes

With Tempeh: Servings 4, Calories 421, Fat 23.4g, Carbohydrates 40g, Protein 19.7g, Cholesterol 1mg, Sodium 494mg, Fiber 6.3g, Sugars 14.7g With Chicken: Servings 4, Calories 391, Fat 17.9, Carbohydrates 33.3g, Protein 27.1g, Cholesterol 56mg, Sodium 532mg, Fiber 6.3g, Sugars 14.7g
Please note that Garden products are not gluten free.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 627mg | Potassium: 590mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 23.1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2.1mg