Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a fresh, colorful, protein-packed easy dinner made with juicy lemon herb chicken, fluffy quinoa, crisp vegetables, feta, olives, and a bright homemade dressing. It is perfect for quick lunch meal prep, healthy dinner ideas, easy recipe planning, balanced food ideas, and simple weeknight meals that still feel full of flavor.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth or water
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups cucumber, diced
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup pistachios or toasted pine nuts, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
1. Rinse the quinoa well, then add it to a saucepan with chicken broth or water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
2. Add the chicken pieces to a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning until golden and cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes.
4. Whisk together the remaining olive oil, remaining lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, a pinch of oregano, and remaining salt to make the dressing.
5. Prepare the toppings by chopping the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, parsley, feta, and pistachios or pine nuts.
6. Divide the quinoa between bowls. Top with chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, feta, parsley, and nuts.
7. Drizzle with the lemon herb dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast if you want an even juicier bowl.
Store the dressing separately for meal prep so the vegetables stay crisp.
Add hummus, tzatziki, or avocado if you want a creamier bowl.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl, easy dinner, healthy dinner ideas, quick lunch, meal prep bowl, chicken quinoa bowl