Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Quinoa

Now, I know The Ghost Guest was dreamed up as a restaurant review blog, but in case you haven't noticed, I've posted many recipes as well. If you couldn't tell, I have a passion for making desserts and have shared many of those concoctions here. I thought it was time to include some of the more savory dishes I've made so you can see I don't actually survive on a diet of Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies (although, that would be fabulous!).

I decided to make an easy chicken stir fry dish that happened to be on the back of the Trader Joe's box of quinoa. If you're not familiar with quinoa, it's considered "the mother grain". Similar in appearance and texture to couscous, it has more protein than other grains and is extremely versatile. 

To make Trader Joe's Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Quinoa, stock up on the below ingredients:

All of the ingredients you need!

Start out by preparing the quinoa by combining the quinoa with vegetable broth (or chicken broth, if you prefer). Simply boil the quinoa and broth and then reduce heat to a simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.

Boil quinoa in broth then reduce to a simmer

Next, chop up about 1 pound of chicken breast (or chicken tenderloins) into about 1-inch pieces.

Mmm, raw chicken

Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a non-stick pan and saute your chicken until cooked through.

Saute chicken about 5 minutes

 Next, you'll need to slice up two bell peppers and a white onion into thin strips.

Thinly slice two bell peppers

Add your onions and peppers to your chicken and saute for another few minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Add peppers and onions to your pan and saute

Add some garlic (I used a few tablespoons of minced garlic but you can use a few cloves of fresh garlic thinly sliced). Saute a few minutes more and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

After a few minutes add minced or fresh garlic

Remove your stir fry mixture from the heat and add to the quinoa. I threw everything into a large mixing bowl and tossed together. Add several leaves of sliced basil and toss into your mixture, allowing the basil to wilt slightly.

Toss stir fry mixture with cooked quinoa and add sliced basil

 After plating your stir fry, add a pinch of parmesan cheese to the top and enjoy!

The perfect balanced meal

I love to make this dish on the weekend and have it for the week to enjoy both hot and cold and for lunch or dinner. It's quick to prepare and keeps fresh for days! Happy quinoa cooking!

Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Quinoa
Recipe adapted from Trader Joe's

1 cup Trader Joe's Organic Quinoa prepared with chicken stock according to package directions
2 cups Vegetable or Chicken Broth
1 1/2 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast or Breast Tenders
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced or 2 tablespoons minced garlic
20 leaves fresh sweet basil, julienne
Grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut chicken into one inch pieces. Heat large nonstick skillet over high heat and add the oil. Add chicken and saute for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Add onions, peppers, and saute for one or two more minutes. Add garlic and saute until peppers become slightly limp, but still bright, about one to two minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from heat. Add basil and quinoa. Toss until basil wilts and garnish with parmesan cheese. Serves four.