Yum
#SundaySupper is inviting you to a picnic! I’ve combined so many favorite flavors into one satisfying recipe that’s still healthy because it’s made with Greek yogurt. Perfect on a sandwich, on a salad, or just on a plate, for a cool dinner or lunch all week, mix up some Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad.
Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad
So I always heard those stories about parents who spend their weekends running their kids from one thing to another and barely getting time to breathe, and I am finally getting my first taste of it. We have had houseguests for three of the past five weekends, but the two free weekends, well, let’s just say “free” is relative. The one free weekend was Easter weekend, and Saturday was karate to Easter egg hunt to birthday party, leaving the house at 8:45 am and not returning till about 6 in the evening. Sunday was, well, Easter, and even though it was low key, it was still church, brunch, and bike riding with the kiddos.
The you have this weekend. Last night after work and school for everyone, the boys needed haircuts and new shoes. Since we were at the mall, we had dinner there and let the kids play at the indoor play area, lest we get ourselves mired in traffic from everyone fleeing DC on Friday evening. So it was a late bedtime for the dudes.
This morning, I got up at 6 am to go for a 4 mile run/1 1/4 mile walk (don’t ask – wrong turn) while The Hubby got the kids up and fed. Then we did actually have couple hours to do a few things around the house while the boys played, but then it was into the tee ball uniform, and off to the game. After the game, The Bug ate lunch in the car as The Hubby drove him to Opening Day Ceremonies while I brought Little Dude home for lunch and to grab a smoothie for myself. Then The Bug came home, we ripped off his uniform, threw on shorts and headed out the door to a birthday party, for which we were 30 minutes late. Ugh! Luckily we we go there the kids were just roaming the party room waiting for pizza before they had cake and headed to the rides and arcade of the next three hours. I texted The Hubby as we left and he started dinner.
We came home, ate, bathed a couple of sweaty, nasty boys, got their sweaty, nasty laundry washing, got them to bed, and yes, right now, over 18,000 steps later, I’m pretty much about to pass out. Or, you know, finish up this blog post that I never got to this week and then hang out on my couch with a couple of friends named Ben and Jerry. Oh, but wait, two more loads of laundry to finish.
And this is mainly just for one kid. I’m a little scared about what it will be like with the two of them! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – God bless those of you who have three or four or more! I am in awe and admiration!
But next weekend all we have is one early Saturday morning tee ball game and then we are free FREE FREEEEEE! Maybe, just maybe we will pack the boys and some lunch and go have picnic at the park. Or heck, maybe we will head to the Mall in DC (I’ve been daydreaming about picnicking amongst the monuments since the snowy day that we moved to Maryland). And maybe, just maybe I’ll pack some of this into our cooler…
So let me tell you something, if there is a recipe that gets my kids to eat quinoa, you know it’s good. And I’m not just talking about just eating it when they are home with me because if they want a snack they have to eat at least a reasonable portion of their dinner. I’m talking about, they ate it at school for lunch, without mom watching! But really, what kid doesn’t love these flavors? It’s Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad! Inspired by my Bacon Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad, I took a few of my kids’ favorites – a slight variation of my Pantry Greek Yogurt Ranch (I happened to have fresh dill and parsley, but you can still use dried), our favorite barbecue sauce, and a bit of shredded cheddar cheese – and mixed it all up with some cooked and cooled quinoa and leftover chicken, and there ya’ go. Dinner (or lunch or random snack) is served! All whole grain and gluten free and high protein and healthy-like, but it takes like barbecue and ranch and yum!!!
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Then get inspiration from appetizers and sides to mains and desserts for all of your summer picnicking fun at the bottom of this post!
How do you or did you juggle all of your kids’ activities?
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Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad
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A healthy combination of your favorite flavors that is perfect for a cool dinner or lunches all week.
Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner
Ingredients
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon minced fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
¼ cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa (previously prepared as per package instructions)
1 cup shredded cooked and cooled chicken
½ cup (about 2 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped tomatoes or halved grape or cherry tomatoes
salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, dill, and barbecue sauce, and stir until combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, chicken, and cheddar cheese.
Add the barbecue ranch dressing and stir to combine.
Add the tomatoes and gently toss.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Here are some more quinoa chicken combos you won’t be able to resist…
Mango Avocado Quinoa Chicken Salad
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Strawberry Lime Quinoa Chicken Salad
Plus the rest of today’s #SundaySupper Picnic menu…
Appetizers:
No Mayo Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing by Palatable Pastime
Caprese Skewers by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
French Onion Dip, with Greek Yogurt by Casa de Crews
Heart Shaped Pretzels with Pink Salt by Dandelion Greens
Mediterranean Spiced Hummus by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Pepperoni Pinwheels by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Crisp Cucumber Salsa with Southwest Chipotle Dipping Chips by Momma’s Meals
Watermelon Salad Skewers by annaDishes
Beverages:
Blackberry Lemonade by The Redhead Baker
Grandma’s Stuff by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Minty Cardinal Punch by Food Lust People Love
Sangria Punch by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Blueberry Mojito Mocktails by NeighborFood
Strawberry Lemonade by Noshing With The Nolands
Pineapple Ginger Lemonade Spiked with Turmeric by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Main Dishes:
Burger Ice Cream by Brunch with Joy
Southern Style Chicken Salad by Recipe for Perfection
Boneless Chicken Wings by Nosh My Way
Spanish tortilla by Caroline’s Cooking
Chicken with Tarragon and White Wine by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Chicken Salad Sliders by Life Tastes Good
Avocado Sriracha Egg Salad by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Sides:
Uncle Dave’s Potato Salad by Runner’s Tales
Sweet and Tangy Green Apple Slaw by Simply Healthy Family
Greek Style Asparagus Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
Broccoli & Tomato Pasta Salad by Flour On My Face
Fully Loaded Baked Potato Salad by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Buffalo Macaroni Salad by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Granola Salad by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Couscous Veggie Salad by Cooking Chat
Spiralized Beet and Goat Cheese Salad by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Soups and Salads:
Smoked Turkey Salad by Our Good Life
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Dried Cranberries by Food Done Light
Strawberry Fool by Cookin’ Mimi
Spinach Salad with Apples & Pecans in an Apple Balsamic Vinaigrette by Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
Spring Couscous Primavera by No Spoon Necessary
Barley and Rice Salad by Family Foodie
Nicoise Salad by Gaila – The Petit Gourmet
Layered Mason Jar Pasta Salad for Two by The Weekend Gourmet
Desserts:
Bacon-Bulleit Brownies by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Peanut Butter Bars by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
No-Bake Cookie Butter Chex Mix Bars by Wallflour Girl
Earth Day Cupcakes by Savory Experiments
Sourdough Chunk Cookies by What Smells So Good?
Mini Lemon Chess Pies by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Peanut Butter Carob Bars by Pies and Plots
Coca Cola Cake by Recipes Food and Cooking
Lemon Lime Pound Cake by Vintage Kitchen
Lemon Yuzu Cookies by NinjaBaker.com
Gluten Free Cookie Bars by Gluten Free Crumbley
Yum
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