Print

Quick Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

lemon herb mediterranean chicken bowls - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick, easy, and flavorful Mediterranean chicken bowl featuring juicy marinated chicken thighs, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon dressing. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 lb / 450 g)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice (about 360 g cooked)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • Fresh parsley and mint, chopped
  • For the dressing (optional):
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, honey, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add chicken thighs to the marinade and toss until fully coated. Cover and let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes or up to 2 hours in the fridge.
  3. Cook quinoa or brown rice according to package directions. Quinoa takes about 15 minutes; brown rice about 40 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
  4. Halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, slice olives, and chop parsley and mint. Set aside.
  5. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken thighs (discard leftover marinade). Cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing (optional).
  7. Divide cooked quinoa or rice among bowls. Top with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese.
  8. Drizzle with yogurt dressing or a splash of olive oil and extra lemon juice if preferred.
  9. Let chicken rest a couple of minutes before serving to keep it juicy.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 20 minutes for best flavor and tenderness. Use chicken thighs for juiciness. Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a good sear. Let chicken rest after cooking. For dairy-free, omit feta and yogurt dressing and add avocado or tahini. Use cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for low-carb variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, Mediterranean chicken bowl, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, easy chicken thighs, weeknight dinner, quinoa bowl, brown rice bowl

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/quick-lemon-herb-mediterranean-chicken-bowls-recipe-easy-healthy-dinner-idea/