Chicken and Quinoa Waldorf Salad with Creamy Maple Vinaigrette

I had firsts.

Then seconds.

Then thirds.

And *maybe* fourths.

(Perhaps it’s the half marathon training and the fact that my body is just CRAVING calories! Not only am I still full-time nursing, I’ve decided to train for the San Antonio Rock n Roll Half Marathon that will take place in November.  I think I’m burning close to 3,000 calories per day. Hence *maybe* the fourth serving of this delicious quinoa salad.)

(But truth be told, I’d likely have eaten 4 bowls of this if I was not nursing and not training for this half marathon.)

Shall we move on to the ingredients?!

Ingredients

1 1/2  cup white quinoa ($1.25 ) Red would be fine too
2 cups chopped apples ($.75) From the manager’s special apples…and again, a *child who shall remain nameless* ate several before I could get them mixed in
1 cup chopped walnuts ($1)
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries ($.50)
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken ($1.50)

Dressing
1/4 cup maple syrup (free from Amazon using Swagbucks)
1/4 cup apple juice ($.05)
1/4 cup cider vinegar ($.05)
1/4 cup mayonaisse ($.20)

Salt and pepper to taste

Green beans, steamed (from the garden)

Directions

1.  Cook the quinoa in 2 parts water: 1 part quinoa ratio.  Bring water to a boil, then add quinoa and reduce heat and cover. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until little ring separates from the grain.

2. Chop apples, walnuts and shred the cooked chicken. (I used some chicken from what I cooked in the slow cooker after my grocery shopping trip the other day.)

3. Prepare dressing.  Whisk all dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl.

4. Toss together the cooked quiona, chopped apples, walnuts, raisins and shredded chicken.  Pour dressing over the top.  Season with a little salt and pepper.

5. Wash, trim and steam the green beans for a few minutes, or until bright green.

6. Serve Chicken and Quinoa Waldorf Salad with Creamy Maple Vinaigrette and Steamed Green Beans.

Cost $4.30