Toasted Sesame Chicken with Quinoa
When I can get Joe to eat not one, but two (!) servings of quinoa, I know I’m onto something special. This sesame chicken with quinoa is that something. I know I may go on and on when Joe really enjoys something I’ve created in the kitchen, but I feel like he really is a good barometer for those with kids or men they feed. He can be picky and suspicious, but he is also honest. When he really likes something it’s such an affirming feeling. I know he’s telling me the truth. Because I love him, I selfishly want to keep him healthy so I have him around for a long, long time.
The best part was how super easy this dish was to make. It was one of those times, you know, when you are just throwing random bits and bobs into a bowl and it turns into a meal you know you want to have again. We couldn’t wait to dive into leftovers for lunch the next day. Another bonus! Reheats beautifully. 🙂
I had chicken already cooked from earlier in the week. If there is one healthy cooking tip I can pass along it’s to always cook extra chicken. My typical routine is to cook chicken on Monday, usually paired up with baked potato. Instead of two chicken breasts (one each) I cook four and store the extra two cooked pieces in the fridge. Then later on in the week I use them in things like avocado chicken salad, chicken fried brown rice, or something like this quinoa. It just cuts down on prep time for home cooked meals when you are busier later in the week.
First things first, I got my quinoa cooking on the stove. I had just enough for one cup of dried quinoa leftover from this Spicy Butternut Squash with Quinoa I made awhile back, which when cooked made enough for four portions of this recipe.
While the quinoa’s a-cookin’, I toasted some sesame seeds over lowish heat.
I poured the toasted seeds into a dish and used the same pan to sauté up my vegetables in toasted sesame oil. Use whatever veggies you have on hand. I had onions and celery in the fridge to use up so in they went.
Toss in the chicken and stir everything well.
Mix the chicken mixture with the cooked quinoa and top it all off with a toasted sesame oil dressing using my Faux Soy Sauce. The finishing touches are a sprinkling of fresh cilantro, which I had leftover from the chili I made last week, and the freshly toasted sesame seeds.
Random perfection!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week.
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Honour System
Toasted Sesame Chicken with Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- ¼ cup raw sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ large onion thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cooked chicken breasts
- Dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ tbsp faux soy sauce
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa well and bring to a boil in 1.5 cups of water (or broth), lower heat, cover and simmer quinoa for 10 minutes, or until water has absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside
- While the quinoa is cooking, heat a pan over medium low heat and add sesame seeds. Toast them by stirring them in the pan until they have slightly browned, watching not to burn them, about 3 minutes. Pour them out into a dish or on a plate
- In the same pan over medium low, heat 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil. Add in the sliced onion and celery, stirring until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic until fragrant then stir in the cooked chicken
- Whisk dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then add in the chicken mixture and stir well. Add in the cooked quinoa, stir again and serve.
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download
it from somewhere? A design like yyours with a few simple
tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got
your design. Cheers
Thank so much! I hired a pro to design the site. His contact info is at the bottom of the page. 🙂
My boy really dislikes quinoa no matter how I make it. Can I use israeli cous cous instead?
I think that would taste amazing! Love couscous. 🙂
This looks so delicious! I really like the versatility of quinoa. Lucky for me, I’ve been “training” my husband for so many years, he eats pretty much anything now (but it wasn’t always the case! haha).
Mine will usually eat it, he just might not love it. 😉 The ‘training’ continues!
Random perfection is right! This looks incredible for how easy it really is to prepare! Love it! I do the same with chicken breasts, I usually cook mine on Sundays and then use it for salads & dinners during the week. There can never be enough chicken at my house, I kinda wonder why I don’t burp feathers! 😉
It makes life so much easier when half the prep work is already done. If only I had a sous chef! 🙂
Haha, what is it with men and quinoa? My husband has to have a protein with it in order to like it, but it’s still like pulling teeth!
I love the look and sound of this, by the way. I’ve been such a fan of toasted sesame oil for years now, so this is literally making my mouth water (and it’s only breakfast time!). Going to try it soon, thanks girl! 🙂
I love the toasted sesame oil! And quinoa, regardless of what the men-folk say. 😉