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Alright guys, I have got a good one for you…Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad.
Seriously, this one is going to rock the blog world. Well….at least I think it should.
Anything involving Buffalo Sauce rocks. No questions.
Buffalo Chicken is a very much-loved food around here. Every time I make it for my Dad he say’s “You could sell this stuff. We need to open a restaurant devoted to all things Buffalo Chicken.” Really he say’s it every time…..and I love it!
After all, the reason I love cooking so much is seeing how people react to my food. It is the best when someone loves something! And I know something is good when I get my dad’s stamp of approval. Don’t get me wrong he will eat just about anything, but for him to say something is really good, means it is really good. He is kind of a toughy.
No joke, this is the best quinoa salad out there. I mean guys, it is Buffalo Chicken.
It’s healthy, quick and super simple. That right there is enough reason to make this. I added some broccoli and carrots for crunch and some blue cheese just cause well, blue cheese is delicious and in my opinion you can not do buffalo sauce without some blue cheese.
It’s just awesome. Perfect snack, lunch or dinner. I am kind of obsessed.
Really if you are out of quinoa you are going to want to go to the store. Now!
Cause I am pretty sure you need to ditch all other previous plans for dinner for tonight and make this. It is just too good not to make.
Ok…here’s how you do it….
First, the quinoa……..rinse and drain the quinoa. Add to the pot with water and bring to a boil. Cover and turn heat to low……Cook about 20 minutes until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with fork!
The buffalo sauce dressing…..yuuummmmmm. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, hot sauce, and seasoned salt. Set aside.
The chicken……Heat a medium sized skillet on medium-high heat. Add 1 T. olive oil and saute the broccoli for about 5 minutes. You want it a little soft, but still crisp. Remove from pan and set aside. Add the chicken to the same pan and cook for about 5 minutes until cooked through. Add 1/4 C. of the buffalo sauce dressing until the chicken absorbs most of it.
Assembling….When everything is ready, add the quinoa to a big bowl and toss in chicken, broccoli, carrots, shredded cabbage, and buffalo sauce dressing. Toss to combine the dressing and all the chicken and veggies. Mix in the blue cheese and half of the green onions. Toss again. Serve warm with extra blue cheese crumbles and green onions on top!! YUM!
Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad with Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
Buffalo Dressing
- 1/2 cup hot sauce, I recommend Franks
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Salad
- 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 3/4 cup shredded carrots
- 3/4 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles, plus more for garnish
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4 green onions chopped
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, make the buffalo sauce dressing. In a medium bowl combine the olive oil, hot sauce, and seasoned salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Heat a medium size skillet over medium high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Add 1/4 cup or so of the buffalo sauce and cook until the chicken absorbs the sauce. Add the broccoli and cook 3-5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Remove from the heat.
- In a large salad bowl, toss together the cooked quinoa, chicken, broccoli, carrots, shredded cabbage, and as much of the dressing as desired. Add the blue cheese and half of the green onions. Toss again and serve warm with extra blue cheese crumbles, the remaining green onions, and avocado.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Seriously, go make this now. You’ll be so happy your did!
Shared with: Inside BruCru Life, Lil Luna, Chef In Training, Buns In my Oven, Foodie Friday Friends, Tidy Mom, Taste and Tell, Cheerios and Lattes, Somewhat Simple, Mom on Timeout, I Heart Nap Time, Fine Craft Guide, The Country Cook, Whipperberry, Chef In Training
Thanks for Sharing at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
Oh my goodness – I thought I had seen everything buffalo, but this is new. And so creative! Love it!
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday. Quinoa is one of my favorite grains. Your recipe sounds delicious.
Joanne
I immediately printed this recipe…it looks amazing! I am so glad to have found your lovely blog. Your photographs are simply beautiful.
You know, I think you’re totally onto something here! My mouth is watering!
Love to make people mouths water!
I’ve been kind of obsessed with quinoa lately so I’m always excited to find new things to do with it. I love buffalo chicken too, so mixing it with quinoa is right up my alley! I’m totally pinning this so I can make it soon. Thanks!
Thanks for pinning!
This looks incredible! I would love for you to join the Pinworthy Projects link party! http://www.atkinsondrive.com/pinworthy-projects-link-party-week-10/
Thank you!
You just blew my mind with this. Seriously. Thank you a million times over!
Your welcome!
I just found your blog through Paleomg. You’re awesome!
ha, thank you!
You know, I haven’t gotten on the quinoa bandwagon yet but this is the most I’ve ever been tempted.
I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna eat some quinoa!! 😛
This looks amazing – I recently tried Frank’s for the first time ever (I know, I’m behind on the times here) and I’m obsessed with it. My husband LOVES buffalo anything – he’d go nuts for this quinoa. We don’t eat much chicken – what do you think would be a good substitute for the chicken breasts? Maybe tofu?
I make this without chicken all the time! I like to just add extra broccoli. We are not big on tofu, but chickpeas or black beans are also delicious! Enjoy!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll try doubling the broccoli. I may try some extra firm tofu in there some time and see what happens – I’ll bet the tofu would soak up all of the Frank’s hot sauce and end up being delish little sauce bombs. I love quinoa – so versatile. I did a spinach quinoa “mac & cheese” that was a big hit at our place – I’m always looking for another fun way to use it. Thanks for the great recipe!
Frank’s on popcorn will change your life.
Yum! My husband would love this!!
This looks fabulous! We are big buffalo fans in our house and I’m sure this would be a hit. I love the quinoa!
This looks good. Come and share at http://www.memoriesbythemile.com/
Wanda Ann @ memories by the Mile
Buffalo chicken definitely rocks! Ok, so I have never tried quinoa…I think it’s about time!!!! This salad sounds awesome. Well minus the blue cheese, but that’s just me. My hubby would love extra blue cheese on his 🙂
Oh, no your a blue cheese hater?!? We love blue cheese, but I know some people don’t. I would swap in some cheddar!
I love Blue cheese, by my fiance hates it. We swapped the blue cheese with feta cheese and it was delicious 🙂
YAQ I am so glad you guys liked this!