Quinoa Chicken Lunch Plate (with Pickled Cucumber)
This wholesome quinoa chicken lunch plate is a quick and nutritious way to power your day. Featuring fluffy quinoa, tender baked chicken breasts, and a refreshing cucumber and red Kim onion salad, it’s a perfectly balanced meal that’s ideal for meal prep, packed lunches, or a simple weeknight dinner. With a drizzle of creamy pink sauce, this plate brings vibrant flavors and satisfying textures together in every bite.
Why You’ll Love It
This colourful, wholesome lunch plate is all about balance — protein-packed chicken, fluffy quinoa, a creamy drizzle of sauce, and quick-pickled cucumber for crunch and contrast. It’s fresh, filling, and ready in minutes if you’ve prepped ahead. This is the kind of meal that works just as well for lunchboxes as it does for easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- Cooked quinoa – Light, fluffy, and a great base for bowls; see my fluffy quinoa guide if you need help cooking it.
- Cooked chicken breasts – Juicy and tender; I use my 10-minute baked chicken for ease and flavour.
- Quick pink sauce – My creamy roasted red pepper and feta sauce adds a tangy, savoury finish.
- Cucumber slices – Fresh and crisp, a perfect cooling contrast.
- Pickled red onion – Adds acidity and brightness; optional, but highly recommended.
- Pickles – Any variety works! I love gherkins or crunchy sliced pickles for texture.
How to Make Quinoa Chicken Lunch Plate
- Prepare your base: Start with a layer of cooked quinoa on a plate or shallow bowl.
- Add the chicken: Slice your cooked chicken breasts and arrange over the quinoa.
- Top with sauce: Drizzle over a generous spoonful of quick pink sauce.
- Add your crunch: Finish with cucumber, pickled onion, and a few pickles.
- Serve immediately or pack into a lunch container for later.
Recipe Notes
- This is a buildable recipe: use what you have and adjust portions to suit your needs.
- The pickled elements can be made in advance and stored in the fridge — they keep well for a few days.
- Swap the quinoa for couscous or rice if preferred.
Variations
- Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for roasted chickpeas or pan-fried tofu.
- Low-carb: Use cauliflower rice instead of quinoa.
- Spicy: Add chili flakes or a spoonful of harissa to the sauce.
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Serving Ideas
- Great for meal prep – keep components separate and assemble when ready.
- Serve with a side of leafy greens or roasted vegetables.
- Wrap everything into a pita or flatbread for a handheld version.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Sauce: Keep the pink sauce in a jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Quinoa & chicken: Best stored separately to avoid sogginess.
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Bowl or plate for serving
- Small jars or containers (if pickling onions)
More Healthy Recipes
- Couscous Lunch Bowl
- Healthy Soup Recipe
- Easy Healthy Salmon Dinner Recipe (Oven Baked)
- Salmon, Quinoa and Chickpea Salad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you give this recipe a try, let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear from you! Leave a quick rating or comment below, it really helps more people find these easy, feel-good meals. 🧡 Want more cozy recipes? Stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram—I’d love to connect with you there too!
Quinoa Chicken Lunch Plate
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- – Serving plate or lunch container
- – Small jars (for pickled onion if making ahead)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1-2 cooked chicken breasts sliced
- 2 tablespoons quick pink sauce roasted pepper + feta
- ½ cucumber Sliced at an angle or diced
- ¼ cup pickled red onion optional
- 2–3 small pickles or gherkins sliced
Instructions
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Cook once, eat twice: This recipe is ideal for using up leftovers — cooked quinoa, baked chicken, and even extra pink sauce from a previous meal.
- Meal prep friendly: Keep each component in a separate container and assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh and crisp.
- Use any sauce: If you don’t have the pink sauce, try hummus, tzatziki, or a lemony vinaigrette instead.
- Pickles optional but magic: Quick pickled onions or crunchy gherkins add zing and texture that really lifts the plate.
- Customise it: Add avocado, cherry tomatoes, or even a fried egg to make it your own.
Nutrition
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