Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Quinoa and Cucumber

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A light, refreshing salad featuring pan-seared chicken, fluffy quinoa, and a zesty lemon-dill dressing for a protein-packed lunch. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, quinoa, water into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 2 chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook chicken for 6 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  2. Step 2: While chicken cooks, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, add 1/2 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  3. Step 3: Whisk together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tbsp chopped dill in a small bowl to make the dressing.
  4. Step 4: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then dice into 1/2-inch cubes. Transfer to a large bowl and add 1/4 cup diced celery, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
  5. Step 5: Add the cooked quinoa to the bowl, pour in the lemon-dill dressing, and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.

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