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Home » Food » By Country or Region » Asia » China » Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa

Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa

September 28, 2015 by Kimberly Killebrew · 28 Comments

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chinese chicken fried quinoa stir fry healthy recipe

I love cooking with a variety of grains and quinoa is one that I particularly enjoy experimenting with.  Not because it’s my favorite tasting grain, but because it’s the healthiest grain on the planet, the only grain that is a complete protein.  I like to use quinoa in baking because it’s easy to disguise with its tiny size, soft texture and neutral flavor and it really bumps up the “health factor” by several notches when I’m trying to create a sweet treat for my kids that I can feel good about giving them.

But I also like to include it in savory dishes in ways that actually make it enjoyable to eat rather than result in the “meh, it’s quinoa” response.  So I decided to go Chinese.  Quinoa in place of rice?  Absolutely!  And we were all happy with the results.

This Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa is packed full of healthy vegetables and is a great source of fiber and protein.

A simple, easy, fast, healthy and tasty dish!

Something I love about stir-fries and fried rice is that you can add pretty much whatever vegetables you want to it.  I had a bunch of zucchini, yellow squash and carrots from our garden so I threw those in there.  Use whatever vegetables you enjoy – bell peppers, broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, etc.

Let’s get started!

Chop up all the vegetables in advance because the cooking process is fast.  Heat the oil in a wok or large heavy frying pan and add the chicken.  Cook the chicken then add the onions and fry for another 3-4 minutes or until the onions are translucent.  Add any hard veggies and fry for 3-4 minutes then add the soft veggies and continue to fry for another 2-3 minutes.  Cook until the veggies are done but still have some crispiness to their bite.   Add the seasonings.

chinese chicken fried quinoa stir fry healthy recipe

Add the cooked, cooled quinoa to the wok and stir to combine.  Heat through and add more soy sauce or sesame oil according to taste.

chinese chicken fried quinoa stir fry healthy recipe

Enjoy!

chinese chicken fried quinoa stir fry healthy recipe

5.0 from 2 reviews
Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
20 mins
 
: Kimberly Killebrew, www.daringgourmet.com
Serves: Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed and lightly sprinkled with salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons high heat cooking oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 large stalks celery, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 3-4 cups chopped veggies of choice (eg, red bell pepper, broccoli, snow peas, zucchini, mushrooms)
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (cooked in lightly salted water), cooled
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • Pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Heat the oil in a wok or large heavy frying pan over high heat. Cook the chicken then add the onions and fry until translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add any hard veggies and cook for 3-4 minutes then add any soft veggies and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Fry until the veggies are soft but still have some crispiness to their bite. Add the seasonings. Add the cooked quinoa and stir to combine. Heat through and add more soy sauce or sesame oil according to taste. Serve immediately.
3.4.3174

 

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28 Responses

  1. Liora - Allthingsloveli says

    October 11, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    It’s amazing how versatile quinoa is- I love what you’ve cooked up with it!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 11, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      Thanks, Liora, quinoa’s such a great grain!

      Reply
  2. Whitni @ A Cookie & A Kiss says

    October 9, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    I love this idea! So yummy and healthy!

    Reply
  3. Steph @ Steph in Thyme says

    October 2, 2015 at 7:31 am

    Mmmm love this healthy take on fried rice. Homemade and healthier than take out!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 2, 2015 at 8:09 am

      For sure, Steph! And frankly, tastier! :)

      Reply
  4. Cathy Trochelman says

    October 1, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    Yessss!!! I love using quinoa in Asian dishes….this recipe looks awesome!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 1, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Thanks, Cathy! Quinoa is such a great, healthy substitute for rice.

      Reply
  5. Kim Beaulieu says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:35 am

    This looks utterly delightful. I know my hooligans would gobble this up really fast. Love the nuttiness of quinoa. It’s got such great flavour.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 30, 2015 at 7:32 am

      Thanks, Kim, and that’s awesome that your hooligans are so willing to eat healthy food!

      Reply
  6. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says

    September 29, 2015 at 9:50 pm

    Yes, please! I LOVE chicken fried rice but hate that you have to use day old rice. This is a great alternative!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 30, 2015 at 7:32 am

      The quinoa is a nice, healthy change, Des!

      Reply
  7. Amanda | The Chunky Chef says

    September 29, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    I love the idea of using quinoa instead of rice!!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      For the extra protein and nutrients it was a nice change, Amanda!

      Reply
  8. Healing Tomato says

    September 29, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    I love quinoa but I would never have thought to put it into a Chinese meal. This is a very creative recipe.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      It’s such a great grain, very neutral tasting so it goes well with most anything.

      Reply
  9. Nutmeg Nanny says

    September 29, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    What a tasty and healthy looking dish! I really like quinoa but don’t use it nearly enough. I think the thing I love best about this dish is that I can throw in any vegetables I have on hand.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      Exactly, Nutmeg Nanny, it’s such a great way to use up veggies! That’s one of the reasons I love stir-fries in general, they’re the perfect way to get in a generous dose of veggies.

      Reply
  10. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says

    September 29, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Quinoa is my favorite healthy base for all sorts of meals. Thank you for this new, creative and delicious recipe!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 6:32 pm

      It really is very versatile, Gwen!

      Reply
  11. Annie @Maebells says

    September 29, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    I love quinoa! This looks like such a great filling meal!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 4:11 pm

      Quick, easy, healthy, good – a perfect combination, Annie!

      Reply
  12. Maryanne @ the little epicurean says

    September 29, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Great idea subbing in quinoa! I’m sure it makes the dish a lot healthier and tastier! :)

    Reply
  13. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    September 29, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Great idea; I do love quinoa and can imagine how flavorful this is in place of plain white rice. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 11:56 am

      Thanks, Barbara! Quinoa’s a great grain because it’s neutral in flavor and takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with.

      Reply
  14. Maris (In Good Taste) says

    September 29, 2015 at 11:10 am

    This looks delicious! I’m not a big zucchini fan, so I would sub a different green veggie, but I love the concept and definitely want to try this!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Maris, we has an overabundance of zucchini this Summer and I mean a TON! So I was looking for all kinds of ways to use it. It was actually quite good in this stir-fry.

      Reply
  15. Adina says

    September 29, 2015 at 8:01 am

    Lovely dish! I have to cook quinoa soon again.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 29, 2015 at 10:36 am

      Thanks, Adina! I know, every time I cook with quinoa I wonder why I don’t do it more often.

      Reply

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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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