The Jennifer Aniston Salad is fresh, crunchy, and packed with protein! Enjoy this light, gluten free salad as a healthy lunch or dinner.
This recipe makes a TON of salad which is great because you can portion it out for easy lunches all week long. Simply mix everything up, including the dressing, then scoop into individual size storage containers, or wide-mouth mason jars with lids.
Let’s make it together!
Step 1: Cook the Quinoa
Start by bringing chicken or vegetable broth to a boil in a small pot. Stir in the dry quinoa, reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer until the liquid is absorbed—about 15 minutes. Once the quinoa is tender and has a light, fluffy texture, use a fork to fluff it up.
You’ll know it’s perfectly cooked when the grains expand and form tiny spirals. The texture is fantastic!
Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl or storage container and allow it to cool before refrigerating.
Pro Tip: I like to make the quinoa a day or two in advance so it’s fully chilled and ready to mix with the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
Once the quinoa is nice and cold, it’s time to add all the delicious mix-ins! Toss in drained and rinsed chickpeas, crunchy chopped pistachios, crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, and finely minced red onion.
To bring even more fresh flavor, stir in a generous amount of chopped herbs like parsley and mint. The combination is absolutely incredible!
Step 3: Whisk the Lemon Dressing
Now, let’s prepare the simple lemon dressing. In a small mixing bowl, (or a mason jar with a lid) combine equal parts fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Add a touch of honey for sweetness, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk (or shake) until everything is well blended.
Step 4: Dress and Serve
Drizzle your desired amount of dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat. No need to use all of it, just add enough to suit your taste! Serve immediately, or keep it in the fridge to enjoy later.
Storage Tips
This salad stays fresh in the fridge for 4–5 days. Store it in a covered mixing bowl or portion it into smaller containers for easy grab-and-go meals. It also works great as a mason jar salad—just layer it into wide-mouth jars for a convenient, portable option!
I hope you love this vibrant and refreshing quinoa salad, inspired by Jennifer Aniston herself. Enjoy!