Quinoa, Spinach, and Chicken Skillet

PostpartumAmericanEasyServes 235 min

A quick one-pan meal combining cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, and wilted spinach.

This one-pan skillet is a powerhouse of complete proteins from the chicken and quinoa, paired with iron-rich spinach to help replenish the mother's depleted stores after childbirth. The complex carbohydrates from the quinoa offer steady, long-lasting energy crucial for round-the-clock feedings. A touch of parmesan adds calcium, which both protects the mother's bone density and supports the baby's growing skeletal needs via breast milk.

View Nutrition Facts

One serving≈520 kcal · 53 g protein

Calories520 kcal

Protein53 g

Carbs36 g · 2.2g sugar

Fat18 g · 4.7g sat

Fiber5.6 g

Sodium1,390 mg

Folate210 mcg DFE

Iron4.9 mg

Calcium298 mg

Choline167 mg

Iodine80 mcg

Vitamin D12 IU

Vitamin B120.7 mcg

DHA + EPA25 mg

Zinc3.6 mg

from its ingredients

Ingredients

12 oz chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
½ yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp italian seasoning
4 cups spinach
1 oz parmesan cheese, grated
½ lemon, juiced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Method

1Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
2In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and italian seasoning, cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant.
3Pour in the rinsed quinoa and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
4Stir the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the spinach. Toss gently until the spinach is completely wilted (about 2 minutes).
5Remove from heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Taste and add remaining salt and pepper if needed, then serve warm.

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