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Location: Quality Food Center - Factoria (3550 Factoria Blvd SE)

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Smoky Chicken Asparagus Quinoa Bowl

A bright Tex-Mex chicken bowl with smoky pan-seared chicken, spring asparagus, fluffy quinoa, and crunchy lime cabbage slaw for a fresh dinner-for-one that still feels complete.

Generated image of the dish

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Breast Family Pack BIG DEAL!
    6 oz chicken breast $5.49
  • Simple Truth Organic® Quinoa
    1/4 cup dry $5.49
  • Cabbage
    1 1/2 cups thinly sliced
  • Carrot
    1/2 small carrot, grated or cut into thin matchsticks
  • Asparagus
    4 oz, woody ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • Onion
    1/4 small onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh Organic Lime
    1 lime, juiced $1.50
  • Fresh Medium Ripe Avocado
    1/2 avocado, sliced $1.50
  • Olive oil
    2 teaspoons, divided
  • Chili powder
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground cumin
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Garlic powder
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Honey
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
    to taste
  • Hot sauce
    optional, to taste
  • Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand White Wine
    750 ml $8.97

Instructions

  1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer; thinly slice the cabbage and onion, grate or matchstick-cut the carrot, trim and cut the asparagus, juice the lime, and slice the avocado.
  2. Bring the quinoa, 1/2 cup water, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small saucepan; cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 14 to 16 minutes until the water is absorbed, then let stand covered off heat for 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.
  3. While the quinoa cooks, toss the cabbage, carrot, half the lime juice, honey, 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a bowl; massage lightly with your hands for 30 seconds so the slaw softens but stays crisp.
  4. Pat the chicken dry, then season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon olive oil.
  5. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook the chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side, lowering the heat if the spices darken too quickly, until the thickest part reaches 165°F; transfer to a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes.
  6. In the same skillet, add the onion and asparagus with a pinch of salt and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until the asparagus is crisp-tender and lightly blistered; squeeze in the remaining lime juice and scrape up the browned bits.
  7. Slice the rested chicken across the grain; spoon the quinoa into a bowl, top with the asparagus-onion mixture, sliced chicken, cabbage slaw, and avocado, then finish with hot sauce if you like.

Total time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: About $7–$10, depending on pantry vegetables and staples used.

Health notes: About 560 calories for one serving, with roughly 45g protein, high fiber from quinoa and vegetables, and moderate healthy fat.

Drink pairing: Sparkling water with lime is the easiest match, while a crisp Sauvignon Blanc also works with the citrusy slaw and smoky spices.

Wine picks:

  • Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand White Wine $8.97 750 ml
  • Broadbent Vinho Verde $8.99 750 ml

Why it works: Two bright, high-acid whites that complement the lime-cabbage slaw, cut through smoky spices, and play nicely with asparagus and avocado. The Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc brings concentrated citrus, tropical notes and the classic herbaceous edge that echoes the slaw and stands up to grilled/spiced chicken. The Broadbent Vinho Verde is a lighter, slightly spritzy, lower‑alcohol alternative — super refreshing with the lime and hot sauce, and excellent if you want something to cleanse the palate between bites.

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You asked

I have brown rice, couscous and orzo. can I use one of these instead of quinoa?

Careme

Yes. Best swaps: 1. Couscous — easiest and fastest Use 1/3 cup dry couscous + 1/3 cup boiling water or broth + pinch of salt. Cover 5 minutes, fluff, then use as the bowl base. This keeps the recipe around 25–30 minutes. 2. Orzo — good Tex-Mex “pasta bowl” version Use 1/3 cup dry orzo. Boil in salted water 8–10 minutes, drain, then toss with a squeeze of lime and a little olive oil. This keeps the recipe around 30–35 minutes. 3. Brown rice — healthiest-feeling, but slowest Use about 3/4 cup cooked brown rice. If starting from dry, use 1/4 cup dry brown rice + 1/2 cup water and simmer 35–40 minutes, then rest 5 minutes. Start it first. This still can fit under 1 hour, but cooked leftover rice is much better here. My pick: use couscous if you want quick and light; use brown rice if you already have it cooked.

Recipe score: 8/10

Planned by Careme.