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Homemade Macro Friendly Grain Salad photo

Macro Friendly Grain Salad

This Macro Friendly Grain Salad is a vibrant, nutritious dish that's perfect for meal prep or as a crowd-pleasing side!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Salad, Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Healthy, High-Protein, Meal Prep
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 2 packages Seeds of Change Quinoa and Brown Rice with Garlic precooked from Costco
  • 2 sticks light mozzarella cheese cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 slices light salami cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 oz cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup fat-free feta cheese
  • 1 whole Roma tomato diced
  • 1 whole green bell pepper diced
  • 2 scallions chopped
  • 1/2 cup light Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Instructions

Directions:

  • Gather all your ingredients. Open the packages of Seeds of Change Quinoa and Brown Rice with Garlic and set them aside. Dice the Roma tomato and green bell pepper, chop the scallions, and cut the mozzarella cheese sticks and salami into bite-sized pieces.
  • If you haven’t already, cook the boneless, skinless chicken breast until it’s fully cooked and no longer pink. Allow it to cool before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the precooked quinoa and brown rice with garlic, diced tomato, diced green bell pepper, chopped scallions, and the chicken pieces.
  • Next, stir in the light mozzarella cheese and light salami to the mixture. The cheese adds a creamy texture, while the salami brings a delightful savory flavor.
  • Sprinkle the fat-free feta cheese over the salad mixture. This will enhance the flavor profile and add a tangy element that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
  • Drizzle the light Olive Garden Salad Dressing over the combined ingredients. Use a serving spoon to gently mix everything together until all ingredients are well-coated.
  • Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning or dressing if necessary. You can add more dressing for extra flavor or season with salt and pepper according to your preference.
  • You can serve the salad immediately or store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to five days. Enjoy it cold, or let it sit at room temperature for a bit before serving.

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups
  • Serving spoon
  • Storage containers

Notes

  • Make sure to taste as you go, adjusting the flavors to your liking.
  • Using precooked quinoa and brown rice saves time, but if you prefer, you can cook your own from scratch.
  • For added crunch, consider topping the salad with some chopped nuts or seeds.