Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Delicious Chicken Quinoa Bowl ๐Ÿฅ—๐Ÿ—

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe โค๏ธ

This vibrant Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a perfect balance of healthy and delicious. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s packed with protein, whole grains, and fresh vegetables. The homemade lemon-herb dressing adds a bright, zesty finish ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒฟ that ties all the flavors together. Perfect for meal prep and can be enjoyed hot or cold!


Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Chicken Quinoa Bowl Ingredients ๐Ÿ›’

For the Bowl:

  • 1ยฝ cups uncooked quinoa ๐Ÿด
  • 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound) ๐Ÿ—
  • 4 cups baby spinach, fresh ๐Ÿฅฌ
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved ๐Ÿ…
  • 1 English cucumber, diced ๐Ÿฅ’
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted ๐Ÿซ’
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese ๐Ÿง€
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced ๐Ÿง…
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed ๐Ÿง†

For the Chicken Seasoning:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil ๐Ÿซ’
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano ๐ŸŒฟ
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin ๐ŸŒพ
  • 1 teaspoon paprika ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ
  • Salt and black pepper to taste ๐Ÿง‚

For the Lemon-Herb Dressing:

  • โ…“ cup extra virgin olive oil ๐Ÿซ’
  • Juice of 2 lemons ๐Ÿ‹
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced ๐Ÿง„
  • 1 tablespoon honey ๐Ÿฏ
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ๐Ÿถ
  • ยผ cup fresh parsley, chopped ๐ŸŒฟ
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano ๐ŸŒฑ
  • Salt and pepper to taste ๐Ÿง‚

Chicken Quinoa Bowl Instructions ๐Ÿ“‹

Cook Quinoa:

  1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly. ๐Ÿšฟ
  2. Cook in 3 cups water according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes). ๐Ÿด
  3. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly. ๐Ÿš

Prepare Chicken:

  1. Mix chicken seasoning ingredients in a bowl. ๐Ÿฅ„
  2. Rub mixture all over chicken breasts. ๐Ÿ—
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. ๐Ÿณ
  4. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF. ๐ŸŒก๏ธ
  5. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing. ๐Ÿ”ช

Make Dressing:

  1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar. ๐Ÿซ™
  2. Shake well until emulsified. ๐ŸŒ€
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings. โœ…

Prepare Other Components:

  1. Drain and rinse chickpeas. ๐Ÿšฟ
  2. Slice tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. ๐Ÿฅ’๐Ÿ…๐Ÿง…
  3. Crumble feta cheese. ๐Ÿง€

Assemble Bowls:

  1. Divide quinoa between 4 bowls. ๐Ÿš
  2. Arrange sliced chicken and prepared vegetables. ๐Ÿ—๐Ÿฅ—
  3. Top with feta cheese and olives. ๐Ÿง€๐Ÿซ’
  4. Drizzle with dressing. ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒฟ
  5. Serve immediately. ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

Tips ๐Ÿ’ก

  • Cook quinoa in chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor. ๐Ÿฅฃ
  • Meal prep tip: Store components separately and assemble when ready to eat. ๐Ÿ“ฆ
  • Toast the chickpeas in the oven for added crunch. ๐Ÿ”ฅ
  • Make extra dressing to use throughout the week. ๐Ÿซ™
  • For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with grilled halloumi. ๐Ÿง€

FAQs โ“

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: Yes! All components can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Store separately in airtight containers. ๐Ÿ“…

Q: How long does the dressing last?

A: The dressing will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. ๐ŸงŠ

Q: Can I use different grains?

A: Absolutely! Brown rice, couscous, or farro work great as alternatives to quinoa. ๐ŸŒพ

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?

A: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your quinoa is processed in a gluten-free facility if you’re highly sensitive. โœ…

Q: What’s the best way to wash quinoa?
A: Place quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water, rubbing the grains gently with your fingers until the water runs clear. This removes the natural coating that can make quinoa taste bitter.

Q: How spicy is this dish?๐ŸŒถ๏ธ
A: This recipe is not spicy as written. If you’d like some heat, add red pepper flakes to the chicken seasoning or the dressing.

Nutrition Information (per serving) ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

  • Calories: 650
  • Protein: 35g ๐Ÿ’ช
  • Carbohydrates: 55g ๐Ÿž
  • Healthy Fats: 32g ๐Ÿฅ‘
  • Fiber: 12g ๐ŸŒฑ
  • Sodium: 780mg ๐Ÿง‚

Storage ๐ŸงŠ

  • Refrigerate components separately for up to 3 days. ๐Ÿ“ฆ
  • Assembled bowls are best eaten within 24 hours. โฒ๏ธ
  • Do not freeze assembled bowls. โ„๏ธ

Enjoy your healthy and delicious Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl! ๐Ÿฅ—๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ—

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