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.
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.
Enjoy!
- 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
- 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.
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Adina says
Lovely dish! I have to cook quinoa soon again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Adina! I know, every time I cook with quinoa I wonder why I don’t do it more often.
Maris (In Good Taste) says
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!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
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.
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
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!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Barbara! Quinoa’s a great grain because it’s neutral in flavor and takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with.
Maryanne @ the little epicurean says
Great idea subbing in quinoa! I’m sure it makes the dish a lot healthier and tastier! :)
Annie @Maebells says
I love quinoa! This looks like such a great filling meal!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Quick, easy, healthy, good – a perfect combination, Annie!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
Quinoa is my favorite healthy base for all sorts of meals. Thank you for this new, creative and delicious recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It really is very versatile, Gwen!
Nutmeg Nanny says
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.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
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.
Healing Tomato says
I love quinoa but I would never have thought to put it into a Chinese meal. This is a very creative recipe.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It’s such a great grain, very neutral tasting so it goes well with most anything.
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
I love the idea of using quinoa instead of rice!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
For the extra protein and nutrients it was a nice change, Amanda!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
Yes, please! I LOVE chicken fried rice but hate that you have to use day old rice. This is a great alternative!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
The quinoa is a nice, healthy change, Des!
Kim Beaulieu says
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.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Kim, and that’s awesome that your hooligans are so willing to eat healthy food!
Cathy Trochelman says
Yessss!!! I love using quinoa in Asian dishes….this recipe looks awesome!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Cathy! Quinoa is such a great, healthy substitute for rice.
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
Mmmm love this healthy take on fried rice. Homemade and healthier than take out!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
For sure, Steph! And frankly, tastier! :)
Whitni @ A Cookie & A Kiss says
I love this idea! So yummy and healthy!
Liora - Allthingsloveli says
It’s amazing how versatile quinoa is- I love what you’ve cooked up with it!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Liora, quinoa’s such a great grain!