Re-u-nited and it feels so goo-ood!
Me and the kitchen, that is. 
Can we please take a moment to check out what’s happening in the back quadrant of the room, hmmm?
The door is wiiiiiide open! 
It appears that while Ben and I were away, normal came out to play. Gone is the choking humidity and unbearable heat that has plagued us for nearly the entire summer. In it’s place – billowy clouds and a cool breeze that we’ve been aching for for months. I’ve got the front door open too. You should feel the cross-breeze – it’s top notch! 
Anyways, back to the kitchen. It’s where I nearly sprinted to after work to get started on dinner. A dinner I found online this morning and simply had to get ingredients to make it tonight. Chili Lime Drumsticks & Quinoa Salad, courtesy of my friends at 1 Cup Awesome!
Seriously – Dave & Sarah at 1CA have the best recipes. I feel like we have very similar tastes, and my mouth absolutely waters whenever I read their blog. Today was no different – this meal had to be mine.
I started out by making the Chili Lime Drumsticks.
Chicken drumsticks have always seemed a bit taboo to me in regards to eating and cooking. It’s been pounded into my head over and over that they’re to be avoided because of their high(er) fat content (when compared to chicken breasts,) and I really had no idea how to cook them anyways.
Well, like Dave & Sarah say – everything in moderation. 2 chicken drumsticks, although a bit higher in fat than a chicken breast, will not kill me. And luckily they showed me exactly how to cook ‘em with their recipe!
First, brush your drummies with a bit of olive oil.
Then season ‘em up. I used a combo of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and chili powder.
After both sides were well seasoned, I grilled them over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes a side (flanked by two ears of corn for the quinoa salad.)
The chicken’s done when it reaches 180 degrees in the meatiest part of the drumstick.
It honestly couldn’t have been easier!
Once inside, I drizzled the chicken and corn with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Awww, yeah.
A sheet of foil went on top of the chicken while it rested and I got to work on the Quinoa Salad part of the program.
This salad is pure genius. Like, utterly, insanely genius. Ok sorry, let me show you how it’s built before I go into more detail!
I halved Dave & Sarah’s recipe and started with quinoa cooked in chicken broth. Then I added the grilled corn,
feta cheese,
black beans
a bit of salsa,
and a big squeeze of lime juice.
All mixed up…
Where do I even begin?!
To say that I dug into these spicy drumsticks, dripping with the sour bite of fresh lime juice, with a purpose is an understatement.
Hunched over the kitchen table, camera still swinging from my neck strap, ferociously sinking my teeth in is, sadly, the more accurate description!
Ahem. That is, they were ah-mazing. Chili lime drumsticks - you’ve got to make them!
Let’s talk about this Quinoa Salad though!
I mean – the simplicity is what really gets me. How do semi ho-hum ingredients like quinoa, corn, cheese, salsa and beans come together to make one of the most flavorful salad recipes I’ve ever had? Honestly, I don’t even get it.
But I don’t have to. It is mind-blowing. I had to put my fork in the dishwasher because I couldn’t stop going back for more. Then the serving spoon when that was no longer safe either. Eep!
This was AWESOME, literally. Click here for the full recipe from 1 Cup Awesome!
Well, there’s still much to do around here since we got back! Fortunately I un-packed last night (I always unpack when I get home, no matter how tired I am. I feel a million time better in the morning knowing it’s not waiting for me to do!) but there’s still some tidying up to do.
Then, Teen Mom, obvi.
(Ahh – who watched Jersey Shore in Italy last week?! I still need to watch it online! Also – you don’t need to say it – I already hate myself enough for loving this garbage! )
Have a great night!
~~~~~
What’s the last new technique or ingredient you tried out in the kitchen?
Yum! Checking out that site right now
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Wow, this looks delicious.
I am definitely trying this whole meal soon.
I like quinoa but never knew how to make it more interesting and yummy. This recipe looks fantastic!
Ps. I was born in Iowa and moved away when I was 3 cuz dad joined the military. But our family is still there so it’ll always be home to me!
Isn’t that salad so crazy?! It’s kind of like “New Kids On The Block.” As a group they were sweet, but on their own each person was….uhhh…just ok.
Each ingredient on their own…ok. But together, they form a super group! Thanks for making it and we are so thrilled that you loved it!!!!!
I always love the feeling of being back in the kitchen after a long trip. Don’t get me wrong, eating out on vacation is the bomb but there is just something about a home cooked meal that never disappoints.
I need to make this meal….like NOW. Wow! Looks awesome!
I watched Jersey Shore last week…between watching that and Bachelor Pad I feel like I definitely killed some brain cells. I will continue watching them both though!
Chile lime = my favorite flavor, so definitely making these babies soon!! Thanks for the details:)
I LOVE quinoa and love getting new recipes for it. Can’t wait to try this one out!
where did you get those giant fork and spoons? i love them!!!
Thanks! Ben actually got them for me, but I forget where… I’ll ask!
that salad looks amazing.
Israeli Couscous, which I have been looking for over a year for and finally found it! But I don’t know that it stacks up against my favorite grain right now, Quinoa!
This dinner looks and sounds amazing! Must make it soon!
So glad to hear the humidity is starting to subside. I’m moving back to IA In a week and am looking forward to the nicer weather!
I’m so glad you posted this! I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for awhile now, but just wasn’t sure. That salad looks so amazing! I’m going to have to try it soon!
Winnah winnah chicken dinnnnahhh! Woooo for beautiful weather, it was rainy here today
wah.
I always unpack my bag the minute I return home. It makes me feel so much better!
we totally have the same taste in TV shows (not that either of us should feel too great about that, lol).
Welcome Home!
Let’s see… I have been dairy free lately and have been eating Almond Yogurt and milk. Doe’s that count?
I haven’t been cooking at all!! ‘-) yay me!
Totally counts!
Love the look of this!
Makes me hungry
Yum! Your dinner looks excellent! It looks pretty easy to put together too. I am a big fan of quinoa. The quinoa salad looks so delicious. I must try this recipe!
I love chicken legs and thighs, their meat is so much more flavorful than chicken breasts. I think I’m so used to them now that I have a hard time with the latter. Plus it makes buying organic, good for you meat affordable since they are less pricey cuts! This recipe sounds delicious – quinoa is amazing and definitely a new obsession of mine. This has been bookmarked to try, thanks so much for sharing!!
hiii! this recipe looks delicious! i’ve been following your blog for a while now and love reading about all your adventures with your husband and the yummy foods you try. i’m a vegetarian but my boyfriend is not so i’m always looking for new recipes for him. he loves quinoa so this will definitely be a hit! thanks for sharing!
jennifer
Did you stay at the San Diego Del Mar Marriott? Or??
Thanks,
We stayed at the Marriott Marquis & Marina in downtown SD!
I’m totally making a quinoa, corn and avocado dish tonight (only my corn has the chili-lime going on)! And here I thought I had a novel idea
So good!
Teen Mom and Jersey Shore–love them both! Coming from a 32 year old mom of four it sounds kinda funny, but I can’t help it! lol
I saw this and thought you might be interested to know what the Trop50/Giuliana Rancic was about:
http://fabfitfun.com/ask-g-women-supporting-women
I’m so jealous! We don’t have screen doors plus we live in the middle of nowhere close to a gravel road so when windows and doors get left open things get very dusty.
I wish I hadn’t watched Teen Mom last night so I could watch something while I eat that! I love pretty much every show on MTV and VH1! It’s really stupid I watch teen mom since I was a teen mom and get irritated the show doesn’t seem to focus enough on the work of parenting. I do love the drama on the show, so i watch it… Shamelessly.
The quinoa recipe sounds absolutely delicious! I have a million pound back of quinoa I bought at Costco months ago and have hardly made a dent :/ I made a similar recipe with the addition of avocado and some nonfat plain Greek yogurt- hello creaminess!
Your dish looks better than the original! WOW, I’m making the quinoa tonight! THANKS!!!
Well, I will be going to the Iowa State Fair on Friday so I will see
what new gaget is out there to buy but for now I just bought a new Food Brand Ice cream Scooper!!!
I love the fact that you give us so many different ideas of food to make and the quinoa dish will be one of them.
And speaking of open doors, and fresh air coming through, my dog is lying down and looking out the doors for the first time in a long time!!!!
WOW!!! Looks fantastic! Thanks for giving us a step by step.
Kristin -
I made this meal tonight – sans the black beans as I do not like them. Do not. Do not…..it was delicious!!! Thanks to you and One Cup Awesome for sharing it!!!
[...] recipe is one I found when I was browsing Iowa Girl Eats blog a few weeks ago. Chili & Lime Chicken Legs! If you know me (which, I’m sure all 2 of [...]
[...] dish super creamy and rich Recently, I’ve seen a lot of quinoa recipes [CookinFanatic, Iowa Girl Eats, and Trying to Heal] that have sparked my interest to recreate a similar dish and today seemed like [...]
made this last week and it was awesome! i have it on the menu for labor day weekend, i’m sure it will be a big hit! thanks for sharing the recipe and the 1 cup awesome blog
That salad was so good! I threw in some diced red pepper. I couldn’t add the feta (I’m lactose, lame I know.) and it was still delicious.