Taco Bowls with Spanish Quinoa

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Taco Bowls with Spanish Quinoa
Everything you love about Mexican food are found in these Mexican bowls.  They're nutritious and delicious and make a healthy meal any night of the week. 

Ingredients

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 2 cups low-sodium canned black beans
• 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup onion (white or green), chopped
• 2 avocados, sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 4 cups Romaine lettuce (optional)
• the juice of 2 limes
• 2 cups Spanish Quinoa

For the Spanish Quinoa

• 1 cup white quinoa (rinsed well for a good minute in a strainer before cooking)
• 1 whole yellow or brown onion, finely chopped (don't use sweet onion)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 4 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/4 cup low-sodium tomato sauce (roughly about 1/2 of an 8 ounce can)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (1 14.5 ounce can)
• 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

For the Chicken

1. Cut the meat into strips and rub with the garlic.
2. Heat the oil in a grill (such as a Le Creuset) over medium-high heat.
3. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.  Turn the meat and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the meat is slightly crisp.

For the Quinoa

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped onion.
3. Cook the onion for a minute or two or until it starts to soften.
4. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
5. Stir in the quinoa and blend well.
6. Add the tomato sauce and stir to incorporate well.
7. Add the chicken broth and the onion and garlic powders.
8. Place a lid on the saucepan and turn the heat down to low.
9. Stir about 3 times or so for the first 5 minutes, then leave it alone and let it simmer.
10. Cook on low heat for about 20 minutes total or until the liquid is mostly absorbed but it still looks slightly moist on top.
11. Remove from heat and let set for about 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

To Assemble the Bowls

1. Add the lettuce in a bowl and pour the lime juice over the lettuce.  Lightly toss.  
2. Place a fistful of salad in the bottom of each bowl. 
3. Divide the chicken, quinoa, black beans, cilantro, tomatoes and onions evenly, arrange the ingredients on top of the lettuce.
4. Serve with your favorite salsa and lime wedges.

This article adapted from this site

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