Mediterranean Chicken and Quinoa Bowl
Tips for Experienced Cooks
To elevate the dish, consider grilling the chicken instead of baking for added smokiness and char. Marinating the chicken overnight will deepen the flavors significantly. Experiment with adding a pinch of za'atar to the quinoa for a Middle Eastern twist. Lastly, for an extra fresh kick, add some lemon zest to your tzatziki sauce.
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Pour the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag and add the chicken. Seal the bag and shake it gently to coat the chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Step 3: Bake the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Step 4: Prepare the Quinoa
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the quinoa according to package instructions. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir in the chopped parsley, mint, and dill.
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Step 5: Make the Tzatziki Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, dill, mint, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Step 6: Assemble the Bowls
To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked quinoa among four bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and serve immediately.
- 4 cups cooked quinoa
- Sliced baked chicken from step 3
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- Tzatziki sauce from step 5
Meat, Eggs, & Dairy
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
Fresh Produce & Herbs
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 1/4 cup mint
- 1/4 cup dill
- 1/4 cup cucumber
Pantry Items
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Seasonings & Spices
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dill
- 1 tablespoon mint