Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad. AKA FOOTBALL FOOD!!!!

Let me start by saying I am an Indianapolis Colts fan.  Because of this I have a lot of love for Peyton Manning and therefore am EXTREAMLY excited to see him win (power of positive thinking right) the Super Bowl with the Broncos in two weeks.  

Yesterday hubby and I had this salad as our football food and it totally hit the spot. 

I'm even going to use this as a dip for carrots and celery for an office dip-off party we are having for the super bowl.  It was really easy to make and the taste is perfect for a healthier version of the popular buffalo chicken dip.  

I don't think it can stand on it's own as a meal, you need a lettuce salad or something to go with it.  Personally I found it a little to spicy to eat by itself.  

Salad

·         1 cup quinoa

·         2 cups water

·         3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces

·         1 cup broccoli florets

·         3/4 cup shredded carrots

·         3/4 cup shredded cabbage

·         1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles, plus more for garnish

·         4 green onions chopped, save half for garnish

Dressing

·         1/3 cup olive oil

·         1/2 cup hot sauce (I recommend Franks)

·         1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Instructions

1. In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse quinoa well and drain. In a medium pot, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn heat to low. Cook until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork.
2. While the quinoa is cooking make the buffalo sauce dressing and cook the chicken and broccoli. In a measuring cup or small bowl combine the olive oil, hot sauce, and seasoned salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
3. Heat a medium size skillet over medium high heat Add a tablespoon of olive oil and saute the broccoli for about 5 minutes. You want it to just start to soften, but still be crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the chicken to the same pan and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Add 1/4 cup or so of the buffalo sauce and cook until the chicken absorbs the sauce.
4. When the quinoa is ready add the chicken, broccoli, carrots, shredded cabbage and as much of the dressing as desired (I ended up using all of the dressing, but we like things extra saucy) toss well. Add the blue cheese and half of the green onions. Toss again and serve warm with extra blue cheese crumbles and green onions.