Orange Almond Quinoa Chicken Salad
| Serves | 24 |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Fruit, Grains, Poultry, Vegetables |
| Menu Part | Salad |
Cooking quinoa in orange juice gives the grain great flavor. Pairing it with balsamic marinated chicken and fresh herbs rounds out the dish.
Ingredients
4 lb. + 2 oz. quinoa cooked in orange juice
3 lb. balsamic grilled chicken breast
2 lb. + 6 1/2 oz. canned black beans, rinsed and drained
6 oz. toasted slivered blanched almonds
6 lb. + 12 oz. orange, peeled and sectioned
12 oz. roasted sweet red peppers, drained and diced
1 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
1 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 pint + 1 cup olive oil
1 tbsp. + 1 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
3 lb. spring lettuce mix
Quinoa Cooked in Orange Juice
1 quart + 1/2 cup pasteurized fresh orange juice
1 lb. + 1/2 oz. raw white quinoa
Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breast
1 pint balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup canola olive oil blend
2 tsp. honey
1 tsp. fresh chopped garlic
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
6 lb. + 8 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast
Steps
- Prepare quinoa in orange juice and chicken breast according to recipes.
- In large stainless steel mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, toasted almonds, orange sections, roasted red pepper, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Toss evenly to coat.
- For each serving, place 2 ounces spring mix lettuce in bottom of 32 ounce plastic salad container.
- Place 1 1/2 cups quinoa salad mixture on top of lettuce.
- Top with 2 ounces sliced chicken.
- Place lid on container. Use within 24 hours.
Quinoa Cooked in Orange Juice
- Place orange juice in pot. Bring to boil.
- Add quinoa. Stir to combine. Return to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Let sit 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breast
- In non-reactive bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken. Mix well.
- Pour marinade over chicken, refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Preheat char-broiler to medium high. Spray with vegetable oil spray.
- Sear chicken over medium high heat for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until surface has grill marks. Turn, and sear other side.
- Transfer seared chicken to sheet or hotel pan and finish in 275°F convection oven until internal temperature is 165°F.