SWEET & SAVORY CHICKEN QUINOA

Sweet & Savory Chicken Quinoa image

Provided by RC :)

Categories Fish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 orange (for juice and zest)
1 c quinoa
2 1/4 c water (divided)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/2 c golden raisins
1/3 c dried cherries
2 c grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
** see note below for modifications

Steps:

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove a 3-inch strip of peel from the orange. Place peel and 1 1/4 cups water in a medium saucepan; bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Stir in quinoa, ginger, cinnamon and coriander; reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, 15 to 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender. Remove from heat; discard orange peel.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine raisins, cherries and 1 cup hot water; stir. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain; set aside.
3. In a large bowl combine quinoa, raisins, cherries and chicken. Finely grate remaining orange peel to measure 1/2 teaspoon zest; add to bowl.
4. Cut orange in half; squeeze 1/2 cup juice. In a small bowl whisk together orange juice, zest, oil and vinegar. Drizzle over cooked quinoa; toss to coat and serve.
5. ** NOTE - My modifications - Used regular raisins and cranberries in place of golden raisins and cherries (because I had them). Cut 2 raw chicken breasts into strips and seasoned with garlic powder and pepper. Browned those in 1 tbls. olive oil. Browned 1/4 c. chopped onion and 1 clove of garlic in same pan when chicken was cooked. Added all of that at the point where you add the chicken. Added 1 extra teaspoon of olive oil to the dressing - DID NOT use 3 tbls. of oil. Seasoned with some additional black pepper.