• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Butter Half logo

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breads and Pastries
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Cookbook
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breads and Pastries
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers and Snacks
      • Breads and Pastries
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Desserts
      • Drinks and Smoothies
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Sauces and Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups and Stews
      • Instant Pot Recipes
    • About
      • Work With Me
      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer & Disclosure
    • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    The Butter Half / Recipe Index / Main Dishes / Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chicken (Instant Pot Quinoa)

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chicken (Instant Pot Quinoa)

    By Abbey Rodriguez • Published: Jan 25, 2018 • Modified: Oct 21, 2020 • 2 Comments • This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT

    You know what happens when you watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding on an empty stomach? Hunger pains. Of mythological proportions. It ignites a hankering for pita bread, tzatziki sauce and all of those delicious veggies. Since I didn't have pita bread or tzatziki readily on hand (and didn't feel like making it from scratch), I did, however, have the fixings for a heavenly Mediterranean quinoa salad with chicken and Instant Pot quinoa. The result is almost as epic as The Iliad. Almost.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad | homemade salad recipes, recipes using fresh quinoa, quinoa salad recipes, healthy salad recipes, healthy lunch recipes, mediterranean inspired recipes, healthy dinner recipes, easy recipe ideas || The Butter Half #quinoarecipes #instantpotrecipes #saladrecipes #thebutterhalf

    How to Make a Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chicken

    First off, isn't she a glorious sight to behold? A beacon of good health and wellness!

    All you need are a few fresh veggies, quinoa, and chicken to whip it together.

    This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a great go-to lunch, or even dinner. I was pleasantly shocked out how sustaining it is. Usually when I eat healthy salads I am hungry an hour after (or immediately), but this kept me full for four hours. I am not exaggerating for theatrical merit, either. If you want a filling salad, THIS IS IT.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad | homemade salad recipes, recipes using fresh quinoa, quinoa salad recipes, healthy salad recipes, healthy lunch recipes, mediterranean inspired recipes, healthy dinner recipes, easy recipe ideas || The Butter Half #quinoarecipes #instantpotrecipes #saladrecipes #thebutterhalf

    How to Make Instant Pot Quinoa

    You will never make quinoa any other way! It very literally takes you ten minutes. Following these steps:

    1. Rinse 1 cup quinoa.
    2. Add 1 ½ cups water and quinoa to the Instant Pot. Lock lid, seal and cook on manual high pressure for 1 minute. Let it natural release for 10 minutes.
    3. Flip to "venting" and open the lid. Fluff with a fork.

    Now you have your quinoa ready to go!

    (FYI, I have this 6-quart Instant Pot Duo and I love it. It's sold out, but if I could buy one again, I'd go the 8-quart, which is in stock!)

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES

    As for the veggies, I do suggest that if you are not a fan of red onion, go light or omit them altogether. DO replace them with extra cucumbers and red pepper for that extra crunch, though. (It's all about that crisp, fresh vegetable crunch, people.) And do not go light on the Feta cheese. The quarter cup I list in the recipe is merely a ballpark figure—feel free to step it up to half cup.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad | homemade salad recipes, recipes using fresh quinoa, quinoa salad recipes, healthy salad recipes, healthy lunch recipes, mediterranean inspired recipes, healthy dinner recipes, easy recipe ideas || The Butter Half #quinoarecipes #instantpotrecipes #saladrecipes #thebutterhalf

    You feta believe me when I say you will love this Mediterranean quinoa salad with chicken and Instant Pot quinoa. Go forth and conquer, my friends. Recipe is below. Enjoy!

    P.S. Want to learn how to more confidently and efficiently use your Instant Pot? Of course you do! Click here to sign up for my Instant Pot Palooza course, where I'll teach you the skillset to make just about anything in your pressure cooker.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad | homemade salad recipes, recipes using fresh quinoa, quinoa salad recipes, healthy salad recipes, healthy lunch recipes, mediterranean inspired recipes, healthy dinner recipes, easy recipe ideas || The Butter Half via @thebutterhalf

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chicken (Instant Pot Quinoa)

    By: Abbey Rodriguez
    PRINT PIN RECIPE
    Make this Mediterranean quinoa salad with chicken in under 20 minutes. It's healthy, fresh, filling, and full of flavor. Makes an easy family lunch or dinner.
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 361kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quinoa uncooked
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • ¼ cup red pepper diced
    • ¼ cup black olives diced
    • ¼ cup cucumber julienned
    • 2 tablespoons red onion diced
    • ¼ cup Feta cheese
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
    • ¼ cup olive oil

    Instructions

    • For Instant Pot quinoa: rinse quinoa, and add water and quinoa to bowl. Lock lid, seal, and cook on manual high pressure for 1 minute. Let it natural release for 10 minutes. Flip valve to "venting" and open lid. Fluff with fork.
    • While the quinoa cooks in the Instant Pot, season the chicken breast with salt on both sides. Pour some olive oil in a pan, and allow the chicken breast to cook for about 10 minutes, until the juices run clear and the inner temperature reaches 165°F. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then cut into cubes. Set aside.
    • Cut and dice the red pepper, black olives, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. By this point the quinoa should be cooked and ready.
    • Combine the quinoa, chicken, and vegetables in a bowl. Top with Feta cheese, fresh parsley, Greek seasoning (if you don't have any on hand, mix ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, dried basil, thyme, and rosemary with a ¼ teaspoon each of black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg) and olive oil. Mix together and enjoy!

    Notes

    To further decrease cooking time, use precooked rotisserie chicken in your salad. For vegan or vegetarian option, omit chicken and substitute with roasted chickpeas.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 2022mg | Potassium: 432mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 595IU | Vitamin C: 15.5mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 3.7mg

     

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    Sharing is caring!

    125 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Johanna says

      April 28, 2019 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight and it was fantastic. The changes I made were minimal. First, I sauteed the chicken with olive oil and Greek seasoning in the instant pot and then took it out to cube when it was done. Then I cooked the quinoa in the instant pot. I also substituted pitted kalamata olives for black and served with warm pita bread and tzatziki sauce. I definitely recommend.

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        April 29, 2019 at 12:09 pm

        Johanna, you want to be my sous chef? 😉 Those changes sound fantastic and I will definitely add in that sauce! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Abbey! Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist | I healed my body using holistic nutrition and herbs. And I believe you can, too. Here you will find nourishing recipes and wellness tips for the family, as well as my herbal cookbook, Root & Nourish. Because you can achieve your ultimate wellness goals using plants and whole foods.

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

    • 15 Minute Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
    • Easy Baked Frittata Recipe with Spinach (Gluten-Free)
    • Easy No-Bake Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter
    • Home Remedy Ear Infection Drops That Actually Work

    Summer Recipes

    • Easy Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
    • Easy and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
    • 30-Minute Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
    • Healthy Berry Crisp (Gluten Free + Vegan)
    As seen in Pop Sugar, The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Shape, and more.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As seen on...

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 The Butter Half