Sarah Michelle Gellar's “Mediterranean" Chicken Salad Is So Good, I’m Making It Every Week This Summer

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There’s a popular restaurant in my neighborhood that serves the most delicious grain bowls. It’s so good that on any given day you can find a line of people waiting outside the door. While some of that popularity is likely due to the fact that it’s locally run, I also think that the creative and clever combinations help to make their bowls a success. They’re built thoughtfully, with layers of vegetables, seasonings, and sauces that make eating delicious and fun.

In my opinion, a good bowl requires a variety of colors and textures, which is why I enjoy Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Mediterranean chicken quinoa salad so much. You might not think of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress as a go-to cooking resource — in a recent appearance on the TODAY Show, she admits that her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., is the “chef” in their family — but I can personally vouch for her quinoa salad. Like the salads at my favorite local spot, this one is built thoughtfully and is seriously delicious.

Get the recipe: Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad

Dressing for Sarah Michelle Gellar's Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad

Credit: Sara Haas Credit: Sara Haas

How to Make Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad

You can only find this recipe on the TODAY Show website (which requires a free subscription), but below you’ll find the basic breakdown.

Thoroughly rinse and then cook quinoa. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the chicken thighs by combining garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Season the chicken with the spice mixture, then cook in a large skillet set over medium-high heat with some olive oil. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Let cool a bit before cutting into bite-size pieces.

Next, prepare the vinaigrette by combining mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

To assemble the salad, add the chicken and quinoa to a large bowl along with some cherry tomatoes, diced yellow bell pepper, diced orange bell pepper, parsley, chickpeas, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Add the vinaigrette and toss to combine.

Sarah Michelle Gellar's Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad

Credit: Sara Haas Credit: Sara Haas

My Honest Review

This recipe reminds me of my favorite restaurant’s bowls — full of flavor, texture, and color! The combination of ingredients makes for a bright, fresh, satisfying meal that everyone in my family loves. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, thanks to the simple spice rub, and the bell peppers added a nice crunch. I also enjoyed the Greek vibe that came through with the Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and oregano in the vinaigrette.

There are a ton of fun components of this salad, but it all comes together really quickly which I appreciated. While the quinoa cooks, there’s enough time for me to prepare the vegetables and dressing. Gellar uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which also cook fast, so the whole meal comes together in just under 30 minutes.

Tips for Making Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad

Prep ahead. This meal can easily be prepped ahead to help save time. Both the quinoa and chicken can be cooked up to two days in advance. The salad dressing can be prepared up to three days in advance. Be sure to cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Swap or add other whole grains. Swap in a different whole grain like bulgur, farro, or rice, or use a mix of whole grains.

Mix up the flavors. You could easily switch up the vegetables and cheese to create a new flavor profile. For example, add grilled mixed vegetables and goat cheese, or head to the salad bar and pick up a bunch of chopped vegetables and fresh mozzarella.

Get the recipe: Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad