Lemon-Herb Chicken Dinner Bowl
A quick and easy 30-minute meal featuring juicy lemon-herb marinated chicken served over grains and fresh veggies, perfect for a wholesome dinner bowl.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked quinoa, rice, or couscous
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup steamed green beans or broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- Optional toppings: feta cheese crumbles, sliced avocado, toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley and thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour in the fridge.
- Cook your chosen grain according to package instructions (about 15 minutes for quinoa or rice). Steam or blanch green beans or broccoli until just tender, about 4-5 minutes. Halve the cherry tomatoes and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil. Remove chicken from marinade (discard leftover marinade) and place in the hot skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and chicken has a golden-brown crust.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to keep it juicy. Slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the dinner bowl by layering cooked grain, veggies, and topping with sliced lemon-herb chicken. Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and optional toppings like feta or avocado over the top.
- Drizzle extra lemon juice or olive oil if desired and sprinkle fresh herbs for garnish. Serve warm.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before marinating for better marinade adherence. Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches if needed. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Fresh herbs provide better flavor than dried. Marinating for at least 10 minutes still yields good flavor. Adjust seasoning of grains and veggies before assembly. For a low-carb version, substitute grains with cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 35
Keywords: lemon herb chicken, dinner bowl, quick meal, healthy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, chicken with herbs, lemon chicken