Protein-Packed Power Lunch Express—Lunch for 2

Protein-Packed Power Lunch Express is a quick, 15-minute Mediterranean-inspired lunch dish, loaded with high-protein ingredients. Enjoy a satisfying combination of quinoa, chickpeas, grilled chicken, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a zesty lemon-tahini dressing for a nutritious and delicious meal.

Meal Type

Lunch

Cuisine

Mediterranean

Servings

2

Food Stars

Health

Variations

Diets

Variations

You Need This Stuff

  • 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 lb grilled chicken breast, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
  • 3 tbsp tahini paste
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Do This With That Stuff

  1. Rinse 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh colander under cold water for 1 minute
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1/2 tsp salt
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed
  5. Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit covered for an additional 5 minutes
  6. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl to cool
  7. While quinoa cools, dice 1 lb grilled chicken breast using a cutting board and chef’s knife
  8. Add diced chicken to the large mixing bowl with quinoa
  9. Drain and rinse 1 cup canned chickpeas in a colander and add them to the large mixing bowl with quinoa and chicken
  10. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes and dice 1 medium cucumber on the cutting board using chef’s knife
  11. Thinly slice 1/4 cup red onion on the cutting board using chef’s knife
  12. Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 2 tbsp fresh mint on the cutting board using chef’s knife
  13. Add halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped mint to the large mixing bowl with other ingredients
  14. In a small mixing bowl, combine 3 tbsp tahini paste, 2 tbsp lemon juice, minced garlic from one clove of garlic using chef’s knife or garlic press, and whisk together until smooth using whisk
  15. Slowly drizzle in 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil while continuously whisking until well combined with tahini mixture in small mixing bowl
  16. Season dressing with salt and pepper to taste using teaspoon measure for salt if needed
  17. Pour dressing over ingredients in large mixing bowl
  18. Gently mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl until well combined and evenly coated with dressing

Obvious and Not So Obvious Variations and Pairings

Beti’s Reflections

On a recent Mediterranean culinary adventure, I stumbled upon the most delightful Protein-Packed Power Lunch Express. This vibrant dish caught my eye at a quaint seaside café, and I knew I had to recreate it for my lovely readers. So, here it is – a quick and delicious Mediterranean Quinoa Salad that will transport your taste buds to sun-soaked shores!

This Protein-Packed Lunch Recipe serves two and is perfect for those looking for a healthy power lunch option. It’s gluten-free and high in protein, making it an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts or anyone seeking nutritious meal ideas.

The star ingredients of this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad include 1 cup uncooked quinoa, 1 cup canned chickpeas, 1 lb grilled chicken breast, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes and cucumber, red onion, fresh parsley and mint. The zesty lemon-tahini dressing brings everything together with its tangy flavors. Each ingredient plays an essential role in creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.

To create this Grilled Chicken Quinoa Bowl masterpiece, start by rinsing the quinoa under cold water before cooking it with salted water until tender. While the quinoa cools down, dice the grilled chicken breast and add it to the bowl along with drained chickpeas. Chop up your fresh veggies – cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion – as well as parsley and mint before tossing them into the mix. For the tantalizing tahini dressing salad component, whisk together tahini paste, lemon juice, minced garlic clove, and extra virgin olive oil until smooth; season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, pour this heavenly dressing over your Quinoa Chickpea Salad ingredients and gently mix until everything is evenly coated.

And there you have it! A scrumptious Protein-Packed Power Lunch Express that’s ready in just 15 minutes! This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe is perfect for meal prep or a quick and satisfying lunch on-the-go. Enjoy this Grilled Chicken and Chickpea Salad with a side of sunshine and let the flavors transport you to the Mediterranean coast. Bon appétit, my dear readers!

Human Interaction

Editors Note:

This recipe has not yet been reviewed by a human.

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