This mediterranean cucumber salad is one of my favorite meal prep recipes for work. This year I grew my own cucumbers in the garden and had tons of them to use up so I became obsessed with this salad. It is full of fiber, healthy fats and protein and keeps me full for a long time. Pair it with the perfect Mediterranean Vinaigrette Salad Dressing.
This recipe is perfect for summer meal prep when you don't feel like using the oven and you want something you can eat cold that will actually fill you up.
I love quinoa and have several other recipes that use it including my one pot mexican quinoa. It is such a great source of vegan protein and is also high in fiber.
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Mediterranean Cucumber Salad Ingredients
This mediterranean cucumber salad is best made with fresh ingredients. They don't have to be picked from your garden but make sure the cucumbers aren't too soft or dried out.
- Cucumbers
- Chicken breast
- Quinoa
- Kalamata Olives
- Olive OIl
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Feta Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
- Italian Seasoning
See recipe card for quantities.
Mediterranean Cucumber Salad Instructions
This recipe is not complicated but it does take a bit of preparation since you have to cook the chicken and quinoa before adding in all the other ingredients.
- Step 1: Chop your cucumber and chicken breast into bite size pieces.
- Step 2: Cook your chicken.
- Step 3: Cook your quinoa in a rice cooker or small pot until "popped".
- Step 4: Combine all ingredients and chill.
Hint: Using a rice cooker for quinoa is super simple because it will automatically turn off and you can carry on with your recipe without fear that your quinoa will burn.
Substitutions
This recipe is super simple to make vegetarian or vegan with a few changes.
- Vegetarian - simply omit the chicken to make this mediterranean cucumber salad vegetarian
- Vegan - omit the chicken and feta cheese and replace with a cheese substitute if you desire but it's great without cheese too.
Equipment
My favorite cookware can be found on my Target storefront or check out my favorite rice cooker and chopper.
Storage
Another great thing about making a cucumber salad vs a traditional lettuce or spinach salad is that it keeps much better. This cucumber salad will stay crisp and fresh for up to a week without chicken and 4-5 days with chicken.
Top Tip
Feel free to mix the dressing into the salad even days before eating it because the cucumbers and chicken will soak up even more of the flavor. Unlike traditional salad, this mediterranean cucumber salad will stay crisp and fresh, even with dressing added.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
- ⅓ cup kalamata olives chopped
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbles
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Chop the cucumbers into bite size pieces and set aside in a large bowl.
- Chop up chicken breast then add to pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Cook diced chicken until no longer pink.
- While chicken is cooking add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water to a rice cooker (or a small pot). Cook for 15-20 minutes until popped.
- Chop up kalamata olives and add to cucumber.
- Mix your Mediterranean Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Once chicken and quinoa are done cooking and cooled add all ingredients together in a large bowl and stir.
- Separate into meal prep containers or serve chilled.
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