Quick and easy chicken quinoa salad with veggies and salsa hummus is a perfect light and healthy summer lunch or dinner.
Today's recipe is going to make your week so much better.
It's a great way to change up your lunch routine or have a healthy dinner prepped in advance.
So you may know that I’m a hummus addict with a hummus obsession who has some serious hummus love in her heart. I heart hummus. OK, I’ll stop.
Today we're making chicken quinoa salad with salsa hummus, which is just full of goodness.
We've got quinoa, which adds some extra protein and a nutrition boost, plus chunks of tender chicken, a mix of colorful veggies and creamy hummus mixed with salsa as a dressing of sorts.
Yes, salsa hummus is going to be your new BFF.
And that creamy deliciousness coats every.single.bite. of this salad.
I love that this chicken quinoa salad is light but hearty — it really has staying power to keep you full.
And TONS of great textures. Crunchy, sweet peppers, soft, fluffy quinoa, tender, juicy chunks of chicken and a burst of bright tomato every time you bite into one.
This salad also travels beautifully to a picnic or the pool or beach if you're packing some food.
The leftovers hold up well, too. I will eat this salad for several days for lunch.
I know I’ll be making this throughout the summer to have for lunches and light dinners on nights where we want to linger at the pool and pack something simple to eat.
Cheers to easy, practically no-cook meals! (Speaking of, you might also like this chicken and hummus pasta.)
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Chicken Quinoa Salad with Salsa Hummus
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken (leftover grilled, roasted or a rotisserie chicken all work well here)
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (from about ¾ cup uncooked)
- 1 cup diced zucchini
- 1 cup diced bell peppers or mini sweet peppers
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup hummus (homemade or store-bought)
- ¾ cup salsa
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: 1 medium avocado, cubed; chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Chop all of your veggies and cook and slightly cool your quinoa, if needed.
- Combine the cooked chicken, cooked quinoa, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes in a bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the hummus and salsa until well combined.
- Pour the salsa hummus over your chicken and quinoa salad and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Mix in avocado, if using, and sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
- Serve cold or at room temperature. Store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Lindsay@TheLeaGreenBean
this is brilliant!!! i totally forgot about that recipe. sounds so good!
Kathryn
Thanks Lindsay!! I thought it might be a blast from the past for you 😉
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
Wow! So many delicious flavours going on here, Kathryn! I know you couldn't add avocado, but I would definitely add it 'cause I LOVES me so avocado 😉 Great idea making it vegetarian too with the beans if you wanna swap out the chicken. Love recipes like this 🙂 !!
Kathryn
I love being able to change up and switch around a recipe a little bit too - keeps it new every time 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Salsa, hummus, chicken....DINNER!
Kathryn
Right?! Couldn't make me happier 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Your recipe redux group sounds fun! Can't wait to see what you post every month! You sure started off with a bang with this!! You know I'm right there with you in the love of all things hummus, so this chicken quinoa salad with salsa hummus is calling my name!! Healthy and light yet packed with flavor! My idea of meal perfection! Gimme gimme! Cheers, dear! <3
Kathryn
Thanks Cheyanne! This is definitely going on the regular rotation 🙂
Charlene Asay
This looks super healthy and yummy. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Kathryn
Thank you Charlene! Hope you give it a try!
Rachel @ Delicious Balance
This sounds like the perfect make-ahead and take-to-a-picnic meal! Love the ingredient swap for quinoa!
Kathryn
Thanks Rachel! It's definitely perfect for a picnic!
Heather Seeley
We also Heart hummas and salsa in our family. This looks like an amazing combination. I am always trying to find more recipes to use quinoa so I can't wait to try this one!
Kathryn
Thanks Heather! You will love this salad! Super easy, healthy and loaded with flavor. I'm with you too - always up for trying quinoa in a new way. 🙂
lindsay Cotter
OMG i love! quinoa and salsa and hummus? my fav!
Kathryn
Me too! Such a fabulous combo!
Lisa
I really got excited reading this but the nutrition info..... what the heck does "as served" mean for serving size? This nutrition info is not helpful if not accurate. I can calculate calories if I have something to work from.
Kathryn
Hi Lisa - if you look in the recipe box you'll see it's listed as 3-4 servings for this entire recipe. You can use the "Adjust Servings" button to make it 3 or 4 or even 5, depending on how you plan to serve it and that will automatically adjust the nutrition box info. I hope that's helpful!