High-Protein Chicken & Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Tender chicken, fluffy quinoa, and fresh vegetables in a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Ready in 40 minutes, perfect for meal prep.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)

→ Grains

02 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tbsp olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine quinoa with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half the oregano. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - While chicken rests, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion.
04 - Whisk together remaining olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, remaining oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Divide spinach, quinoa, prepared vegetables, and sliced chicken among 4 bowls. Drizzle with dressing evenly. Top with crumbled feta and chopped parsley if desired.
06 - Serve immediately while chicken is warm, or store in airtight containers refrigerated for up to 3 days for meal prep.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dressing ties everything together with just enough brightness to make you forget youre eating something so healthy
  • You can prep everything in under 40 minutes and have lunch sorted for days
02 -
  • The chicken needs those five minutes of resting time or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board
  • Wait to dress the bowls until right before you eat them or the spinach will wilt completely
03 -
  • Cook your quinoa in chicken broth instead of water for an extra layer of flavor
  • Warm the quinoa slightly before assembling cold bowls for the best temperature contrast

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