Lemon Vinaigrette Grilled Chicken Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Juicy grilled chicken paired with fresh veggies and a zesty lemon vinaigrette in a colorful bowl.

# Ingredient List:

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

01 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
04 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
05 - 1 garlic clove, minced
06 - 1/2 teaspoon honey
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Grilled Chicken

09 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1.5 lbs
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Bowl Assembly

15 - 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
18 - 1 cup bell pepper, sliced
19 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
20 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
21 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - While the chicken is grilling, prepare the quinoa or rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
05 - Divide quinoa or rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with spinach or greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
06 - Add sliced grilled chicken to each bowl. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette.
07 - Sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lemon vinaigrette is bright and zingy enough that you barely notice you're eating something wholesome.
  • Prep and cook time stays under 40 minutes, so weeknight dinners actually happen without stress.
  • Every component tastes fresh on its own but somehow tastes even better together, which feels like a small miracle.
02 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness or they'll cook at different rates and one side will be dry while the other is perfect.
  • Don't skip letting the chicken rest after grilling—those five minutes make the difference between juicy and tough, and it costs you nothing.
  • Make the vinaigrette in advance if you want; it actually tastes better the next day once the flavors get to know each other.
03 -
  • Pound your chicken flat before marinating so it cooks evenly and stays juicy through the entire thickness.
  • Make the vinaigrette the day before and let the garlic infuse the oil—it deepens the flavor without tasting harsh.
  • Prep all your vegetables in advance but don't dress the salad until you're ready to eat, or the greens will wilt and everything will go soft.
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