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High Protein Southwest Quinoa Salad

This vibrant High Protein Southwest Quinoa Salad is packed with flavor and nutrients, featuring fluffy quinoa, black beans, corn, bell peppers, and avocado, all tossed in a creamy chipotle dressing. Perfect for a healthy lunch or a light dinner, it's a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Salad

  • 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 1.75 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 can black beans 15 ounces, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned (drained)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 0.5 medium red onion finely diced
  • 1 medium avocado diced
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast or firm tofu diced or crumbled for protein (optional)

For the Creamy Chipotle Dressing

  • 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 0.125 teaspoon black pepper or to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Salad Components

  • Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water (or broth). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  • Remove from heat, let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool completely.
  • While quinoa cools, prepare your vegetables: rinse and drain black beans, drain corn, dice red bell pepper, finely dice red onion, dice avocado, and chop fresh cilantro.
  • If using, cook and dice chicken breast or crumble and cook firm tofu according to your preference. Let cool.

Make the Creamy Chipotle Dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, adobo sauce, honey (if using), cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Assemble the Salad

  • To the bowl with cooled quinoa, add the black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and cooked chicken or tofu (if using).
  • Pour the creamy chipotle dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  • Finally, gently fold in the diced avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning.
  • Serve immediately, or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.

Notes

This salad is excellent for meal prep! Store the dressing separately and add just before serving to keep the salad fresh and prevent the quinoa from getting soggy. You can also customize the protein with shrimp, steak, or roasted chickpeas.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg
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