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Chipotle Quinoa Chili | alidaskitchen.com

Chipotle Quinoa Chili #WeekdaySupper

Chipotle Quinoa Chili is packed with heart-healthy proteins from quinoa and beans, and a smokiness from the chipotle chiles. Made in 30 minutes, perfect for a weekday supper! {vegan, gluten free}

Chipotle Quinoa Chili | alidaskitchen.com

This winter has been exceptionally cold and snowy, with weather extremes everywhere it seems.  For me, nothing combats these winter chills quite like a tasty bowl of chili.  This Chipotle Quinoa Chili is healthy comfort food that will warm you up from the inside out.  There is a little heat from some green chiles, a subtle smokiness from the chipotle chiles and all around goodness from the protein-packed beans and quinoa.  I had never had quinoa in chili until this recipe, and it is a delicious addition!  Quinoa adds a wonderful texture, adds some protein and fiber, and makes the chili seem especially hearty….

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Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Quinoa

Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken with Quinoa | alidaskitchen.com

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is a healthy 30-minute meal made with chicken, lots of vegetables, and a light sweet and sour sauce.  It takes just minutes to prepare, making this Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken an ideal weeknight meal that is much healthier than its take-out counterpart.

Here the Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is served over the ever trendy super-seed, quinoa.  You can easily substitute brown rice, or another favorite grain, or eliminate it all together for a lower carb option.

healthy baked sweet and sour chicken with quinoa | alidaskitchen.com

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Quinoa
 
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into thick coins
  • 6 scallions, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk honey, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger and 1 tablespoon water.
  3. Toss chicken in 3 tablespoons of honey mixture and place in prepared baking dish. Toss peppers, carrots and scallions in remaining honey mixture and pour evenly over chicken.
  4. Loosely cover baking dish with foil, leaving one end open to vent. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and vegetables are tender.
  5. Meanwhile, put quinoa and broth in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then cover, reduce to a simmer (medium-low) for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
  6. Divide quinoa on plates and spoon chicken and vegetables over quinoa.
Notes
Slightly adapted from Family Circle, June 2013

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also enjoy:

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad

Lighter Sesame Chicken

 

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad | alidaskitchen.com

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad is a delicious entree salad made with quinoa, broccoli, carrots, tossed with a healthier version of buffalo chicken. Quick and easy, perfect for a weeknight!
Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad | alidaskitchen.com
This Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad is darn near perfection.  We start with warm, shredded chicken tossed in a lighter buffalo sauce; add sautéed vegetables and combine it with the ever trendy (and tasty!) quinoa.  Sprinkle blue cheese (or cheddar) on top, as desired, and you’re looking at a delicious and healthy Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad.

Not only is this salad am-a-zing, but it can be made in under 30 minutes!  The quinoa and chicken cook simultaneously, allowing plenty of time to prepare and sauté the vegetables and whisk together the sauce.  Put it all together and dinner is served!  (Leftovers make great lunches too)

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad | alidaskitchen.com

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad
 
Yields: 3 to 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 to 10 ounces) OR 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 2 to 3 green onions chopped, whites and greens separated
  • Cooking spray
  • ½ cup hot sauce (I recommend Frank's hot sauce)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional toppings: blue cheese crumbles or shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
  1. Make quinoa: In a medium sauce pan, put rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes and then fluff quinoa with a fork.
  2. Poach chicken: While the quinoa is cooking, place chicken in medium pot, and add enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer; cook for 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let chicken stand, covered until cooked through (about 12 to 14 minutes). Remove chicken from liquid and shred with 2 forks.
  3. While quinoa and chicken are cooking, sauté the vegetables. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium high heat. Add broccoli, carrots and the whites of green onions, and sauté for 5 minutes, or until desired crisp-tenderness. Set aside.
  4. Make the sauce: Whisk together hot sauce, oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and salt.
  5. Pour ¼ cup sauce over shredded chicken, tossing to coat.
  6. To a large bowl, add quinoa, chicken and vegetables, tossing to combine (You can add remaining sauce with this step OR drizzle as desired over each individual serving).
  7. Sprinkle with remaining chopped green onion and serve.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad | alidaskitchen.com

I drew inspiration from this recipe and my Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders recipe.