I really feel you should try this Chicken Quinoa Bowl at least once. It’s not just tasty, it’s also great if you’re trying to eat healthy. And if you’re into meal prep, then I think this is one of the best options you can go for.
Just think about it, in around 35 minutes, everything gets ready. You get quinoa, juicy chicken, and roasted veggies all in one bowl. Sounds good, right?
You know what I personally love about this recipe? When these bowls are kept in the fridge, I don’t even feel like eating junk food. And that mix of feta cheese with lemon juice… it gives such a fresh and light feel.
It’s healthy, it’s full of flavor, and the best part is that you get to enjoy tasty food without feeling guilty about it.
Chicken Quinoa Power Bowl
Description
This Chicken Quinoa Bowl is something you might really enjoy if you’re looking for a healthy and filling meal. It has grilled chicken, fluffy quinoa, and colorful veggies, all mixed together with a lemon-garlic dressing that adds a nice zesty touch.
It feels light when you eat it, but still keeps you full. You can pack it for lunch, use it for meal prep, or even have it as a wholesome dinner.
And every bite gives you a good mix of lean protein, fiber, and flavor. So it’s tasty and good for you at the same time.
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 400°F (or 200°C), okay? Now grab a red onion, peel it, and slice it up. Take 3 garlic cloves and chop them nicely. Then get a big red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and slice it too. If your green beans have rough ends, just trim those off.
- Once all the veggies are ready, toss them onto a big baking sheet.
- Then, sprinkle some paprika, oregano, sea salt, and pepper and drizzle a bit of olive oil on top.
- Now mix everything with your hands. Yup, hands work best here because it helps coat all the veggies evenly.
- Next, take a separate baking dish and place your chicken breasts in it. Add the leftover paprika and oregano, plus a little salt and pepper.
- Now, drizzle some olive oil and rub everything in well. Again, use your hands to make sure the chicken gets all that flavor.
- Now pop both the chicken and veggie trays into the oven. Make sure to keep them on separate trays.
- Now, bake both trays for around 25 minutes. Trust me, high heat for a short time gives the best flavor.
- Just make sure the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F (or 75°C). Don’t overcook it, otherwise it’ll turn dry.
- While the chicken and veggies are baking, let’s cook the quinoa. Take 1.5 cups of quinoa and 1.5 cups of water in a pot. Add a pinch of salt.
- You can cook it on the stove or in an Instant Pot. Just 1 minute on high pressure, then let it release naturally.
- Once it’s done, fluff it up with a fork.
- Now that everything’s ready, grab a bowl. Add some quinoa, then top it with the roasted veggies and chicken. Crumble some feta cheese on top, sprinkle a little fresh dill, and squeeze in some lemon juice.
- And that’s it, your perfect Chicken Quinoa Bowl is ready! It is healthy, tasty, and totally satisfying.
Prepping the Veggies:
Seasoning the Chicken:
Baking Time:
Cooking the Quinoa:
Assembling the Bowl:
Pro Tips & Variations
Pro Tips:
- When you’re roasting veggies, make sure they’re totally dry. If there’s water on them, they’ll start steaming instead of roasting, and you won’t get that nice crispy texture.
- Also, don’t overbake the chicken, okay? Otherwise, it might turn out a bit dry. Just keep the internal temperature around 165°F, that’s the sweet spot.
- Once your quinoa is cooked, fluff it up with a fork. That way, it won’t feel sticky or clumpy.
- Add the feta cheese and lemon juice right at the end as it gives the whole bowl a super fresh and tangy kick.
- If you’re meal prepping, store the bowls in airtight containers. They’ll easily stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Variations:
- If you’re skipping chicken, no worries. You can totally go with tofu or chickpeas. Both are packed with protein.
- If you want to switch up the veggies, try adding carrots, celery, or even cauliflower. They roast well in the same time.
- If you want to add some toppings, then you can go for avocado or even a spoon of hummus. It gives a creamy feel and makes the bowl more filling. Make sure to add avocado fresh so it tastes better.
- If you’re into spicy stuff, sprinkle some chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Both of them give that extra zesty flavor.
- If you can’t find quinoa, you can easily swap it with brown rice or millet. The taste will be a little different, but still super healthy.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storage Instructions:
- So the first thing you need to do is let the bowls cool down completely before you store them. If they’re still warm, then moisture builds up and everything becomes soggy. And I know that’s not something you’d enjoy.
- Once they’re cool, you can divide everything into airtight meal prep containers. If you want, you can keep the quinoa, veggies, and chicken all together. That works just fine.
- These bowls stay fresh in the fridge for around 4 days. Just make sure the lids are sealed properly so nothing goes off.
- And if you’re planning to make a bigger batch, then you can freeze the chicken and quinoa. Both of them freeze well and stay good.
- Veggies are a little tricky though. Their texture changes when frozen, so it’s better if you make those fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating Instructions:
- When you take a bowl out of the fridge, you can warm it up in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes. Just don’t overheat it, otherwise the chicken might turn dry.
- If you want, you can add a little water or broth while reheating. That helps keep the moisture and flavor balanced.
- And if you’re not using a microwave, then you can reheat it in a non-stick pan on low flame. Just add a little olive oil and it works well.
- After reheating, you can squeeze some fresh lemon juice and sprinkle a bit of feta on top. It makes the bowl taste fresh again.
- And you know, if you’re in the mood, you can even eat it cold. It feels just like a refreshing salad.
Serving Suggestions:
- So once your bowl is ready, you can squeeze a little extra lemon juice on top. It really brings out the flavor and makes everything feel fresh.
- If you want to add something on the side, then you can go for Greek yogurt or even a little tzatziki dip. It gives a creamy touch and the taste feels nicely balanced.
- And if you’re thinking of turning it into a full meal, then you can pair it with a light soup or maybe a fresh green salad. It feels wholesome and satisfying that way.
- I personally enjoy the cold version sometimes. You can just take it out of the fridge the next day and eat it like a salad. It feels super refreshing.
- And if you’re feeling a little creative, then you can turn this mix into a wrap. You can fill it inside lettuce leaves or a tortilla and it starts to feel like a café-style healthy wrap.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 bowl (~400g)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 460kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 18g28%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 75mg25%
- Sodium 380mg16%
- Potassium 710mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 35g12%
- Dietary Fiber 6g24%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 40g80%
- Vitamin A 650 IU
- Vitamin C 18 mg
- Calcium 62 mg
- Iron 2.4 mg
- Vitamin D 60 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
FAQ
Q1. Can you use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs if you want. They turn out a little more juicy. You just need to adjust the cooking time, maybe 5 to 7 minutes extra. Just be careful not to overcook them or they might feel dry.
Q2. Is quinoa gluten-free?
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. So if you’re avoiding gluten, then this recipe is a safe and healthy choice for you.
Q3. What can you do to make a vegan version?
If you want to make it vegan, then you can replace the chicken with tofu or chickpeas. You can skip the feta cheese or use a vegan version instead. Everything else stays the same and the taste still feels really good.
Q4. What can you use instead of quinoa?
You can try using brown rice, millet, or even couscous. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will be different. Quinoa has a slightly nutty taste, but these options also give a nice texture.
Q5. How long do these Chicken Quinoa Bowls stay fresh in the fridge?
These bowls stay fresh for around 4 days in the fridge. You just need to store them in airtight containers. And before eating, you can squeeze a little lemon juice as it makes the bowl taste fresh again.
