Is Fried Quinoa Better Than Fried Rice? Chicken and Shrimp Version With 36g Protein

Date: 2026-10-13 21:00:38

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Chicken and shrimp fried quinoa — the leftover quinoa upgrade that makes you wonder why you ever made fried rice. More protein per bite, more fiber, and the same satisfying takeout-style flavor in 25 minutes. 36 grams of protein per serving at 377 calories.

Two techniques make this work. First the quinoa must be cold and dry before it hits the skillet. Hot or wet quinoa steams instead of frying and you end up with a mushy texture instead of the slightly crispy individual grains that make fried quinoa actually good. Cook your quinoa a day ahead or spread it on a sheet pan to cool and dry out before cooking.

Second sear the chicken and shrimp separately before anything else. Let the chicken rest untouched in a hot skillet for two full minutes before stirring so it develops a crust on at least one side. Add shrimp and cook through then pull everything out. That step keeps both proteins from getting rubbery when they go back in at the end.

Then build the base — garlic, ginger, green onions in the same pan. Add cold quinoa, scramble eggs directly into a hole in the center, fold everything together, add vegetables and soy sauce, finish with sesame oil off the heat. That last step keeps the sesame flavor bright instead of cooking it out.

INGREDIENTS (5 servings)
Spray avocado oil | 1 lb chicken breast cut into 1-inch chunks | ½ lb raw jumbo shrimp chunked | 1 tbsp avocado oil | ½ cup green onion | 1 tbsp fresh garlic | 1 tbsp fresh ginger | 3 cups cooked cold dry quinoa | 2 eggs lightly beaten | 1 cup frozen peas and carrots | 1 medium red bell pepper diced | 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce | 1 tbsp sesame oil | 1 tbsp black sesame seeds

Per serving: 377 cal | 36g protein | 13g fat | 29g carbs | 5g fiber

🔗 Full recipe → fitmencook.com/recipes/shrimp-fried-quinoa/
🌶️ Seasoning → spices.shop

#friedquinoa #mealprep #leftoverquinoa #highprotein #chickenshrimp #takeoutalternative #fitmencook

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