BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

This weekend has been all about slowing down and enjoying. Enjoying the people we love. Enjoying our sweet boxers and giving them lots of attention and spa bath that ended with my bathroom looking like a water park. Enjoying real food - like this incredible quinoa salad I made tonight. (AND enjoying season 4 of Downton Abbey - I'm completely hooked!)

Earlier today I picked up this little book by Anna Quindlin that lives on my bedside table and read it again. It's very short, may take about 10 minutes to read, and is a great reminder on living with joy and passion. A reminder to really live, to be present, and to realize that every day is a glorious gift. 

Just relaxing on the couch tonight watching drag racing with my husband (it's his favorite), eating a second helping of this quinoa salad, and watching Heidi and Ellie snuggle on their Orvis bed, I am feeling so incredibly lucky. 

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad
From What's Gaby Cooking

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa 

1/2 cup corn 

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained 

1 cup shredded BBQ chicken 

1 avocado, chopped 

2 tablespoons White Cheddar cheese, shredded (I use Cabot)

2-4 tablespoons BBQ sauce 

2 scallions, chopped 

Cilantro for garnish

1. In a large bowl, toss together the quinoa, corn, black beans, chicken and avocado. Season with salt and pepper
2. Transfer mixture onto a bowl and top with shredded cheese, BBQ sauce, scallions and cilantro.
3. Serve warm or at room temperature

Easy Crockpot BBQ chicken

6 chicken thighs

1 white onion, sliced

1/2 cup of BBQ sauce

Combine ingredients in Crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours, then shred.