Viral Chopped Green Goddess Quinoa Salad Recipe

It’s 5:30 PM. Your brain is fried. The fridge is a sad landscape of condiments and wilted greens. The takeout menu is calling your name, but your wallet is screaming “NO!”

I get it. I live it. That’s why we need recipes that are our secret weapons. Recipes that look like you fussed, but secretly came together in the time it takes to watch one episode of your favorite show, like this simple crockpot chicken, potatoes, and green beans.

Enter the hero we all need: the Viral Chopped Green Goddess Quinoa Salad. This isn’t just another salad. It’s a flavor explosion, a textural party, and your new best friend for meal prep. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it packs a serious nutritious punch. Let’s make dinner exciting again.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: American Fusion
• Category: Salad, Main Dish, Side Dish
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4 as a main, 6 as a side

Ultimate Guide to Viral Chopped Green Goddess Quinoa Salad

Why is this the only guide you need? Because I’ve made this a hundred times. I’ve tested every shortcut. This version gives you maximum impact for minimum effort.

We’re talking fluffy quinoa, a rainbow of crunchy veggies, and a creamy, herby dressing that you’ll want to put on everything. It’s a superfood salad that actually tastes incredible. It keeps for days, making it the ultimate meal prep champion. No boring lunches here.

This dish is your ticket to feeling like a kitchen rockstar without the cleanup of a rock concert. It’s healthy, hearty, and happens fast. Let’s dig in.

The Simple Ingredients

Here’s the beautiful part: most of this lives in your pantry or fridge already. No fancy trips to three different stores. Just simple, good food.

• For the Quinoa & Salad:
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa (any color—I love tri-color!)
  • 2 cups water or broth
  • 1 English cucumber, finely chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 1/2 a red onion, finely chopped
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• For the Green Goddess Dressing:
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 big handful of fresh basil
  • 1 big handful of fresh parsley
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)

Grab your biggest cutting board and a big bowl. We’re moving fast. The goal is to have everything ready by the time the quinoa is done cooking.

1. Cook the quinoa. Rinse your quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. This removes any bitterness. Add it to a pot with the 2 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. When done, fluff it with a fork and spread it on a plate or tray to cool slightly. This stops it from getting mushy.
2. Blitz the dressing. While the quinoa cooks, make the magic. In a blender or food processor, combine the Greek yogurt, basil, parsley, green onions, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blitz until it’s smooth and gloriously green. Taste it! Add salt and pepper until it sings. Set aside.
3. Chop everything. This is the “chopped” part! Dice your cucumber, halve the tomatoes, chop the red onion, and dice the avocado. Dump it all into a huge mixing bowl. Add the rinsed chickpeas.
4. Bring it all together. Add the slightly cooled quinoa to the bowl with the veggies. Pour about 3/4 of that gorgeous green dressing over everything. Gently toss until every grain and veggie is coated. Taste again—add more dressing if you want.
5. Finish and serve. Gently fold in the crumbled feta and diced avocado last so they don’t get smashed. That’s it! Dinner is served.

What to Serve With This Dish

This salad is a full meal on its own. But if you want to round it out, keep it simple. Grill or pan-sear some chicken breasts or salmon fillets while the quinoa cooks. Shred a rotisserie chicken on top for zero-cook protein. For another fantastic hands-off quinoa meal, try this easy Crockpot chicken and quinoa recipe.

Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)

Don’t have an ingredient? No stress. This recipe is a template for success.

No quinoa? Use farro, couscous, or even brown rice. Any healthy grain works. Out of fresh herbs? Use 2 tablespoons of pesto mixed into the Greek yogurt for a cheat’s dressing. Not a fan of chickpeas? Black beans or white beans are perfect substitutes. Make it your own!

How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)

This salad gets better! The flavors meld overnight. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Pro Tip: If you’re meal prepping, store the dressing separately and add it the day you eat it. This keeps the veggies super crisp. The avocado is best added fresh, so dice a new one when you’re ready to serve.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

• Calories: ~380 (per main serving)
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 10g
• Fat: 16g
• Note: This is an estimate. Values change with specific ingredients and swaps.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! It’s a meal prep dream. Just wait to add the avocado and full amount of dressing until you’re ready to serve for the best texture.

Is there a substitute for Greek yogurt in the dressing?

Yes! For a dairy-free version, use a plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt or even ripe avocado as the creamy base. It will change the flavor slightly but will still be delicious.

My quinoa turned out mushy. What did I do wrong?

You probably used too much water or didn’t rinse it. Always rinse quinoa and use a 1:2 quinoa-to-liquid ratio. Spreading it to cool right after cooking also stops the carryover heat from steaming it into mush.

See? I told you we could do this. In under 30 minutes, you’ve got a vibrant, healthy, and seriously satisfying dinner that powers you through the week. No more boring salads. No more stressful weeknights. For more effortless dinner inspiration, this Crockpot chicken and quinoa dinner is another perfect weeknight solution.

You’ve just added a powerhouse recipe to your rotation. Go try this and win back your weeknight! Let me know how it goes by leaving a comment and rating below!