Easy Garlic Lemon Chicken Quinoa That Bursts With Flavor Recipe
This Easy Garlic Lemon Chicken Quinoa recipe is a vibrant, flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender, zesty chicken breasts cooked with garlic and lemon, combined with fluffy quinoa and fresh vegetables. It’s a healthy, protein-packed dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pieces Chicken breasts (Boneless and skinless)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Freshly minced)
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Quinoa and Vegetables
- 1 cup Quinoa (Rinsed)
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley (Chopped)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (For heat)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (Halved)
- 2 cups Spinach or kale (Tossed in near the end)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken breasts in the mixture until well coated. Let them sit for 10 minutes to absorb the zesty flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, with juices running clear.
- Toast the Quinoa: Add the rinsed quinoa to the same skillet. Stir for about 2 minutes until the quinoa is lightly toasted and fragrant, turning the grains golden.
- Cook the Quinoa: Pour in the chicken broth and gently stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the broth is fully absorbed.
- Combine Chicken with Quinoa: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the quinoa. Cover the skillet again and let it stand for 5 minutes to allow the juices and flavors to mingle.
- Add Fresh Ingredients and Serve: Transfer the chicken and quinoa to serving plates. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, halved cherry tomatoes, and red pepper flakes for a vibrant, flavorful finish. Serve hot for the best taste.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove the natural bitterness before cooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute kale for spinach or use any leafy greens of your choice.
- For extra zest, consider adding lemon zest to the quinoa while cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Garlic Lemon Chicken, Quinoa Recipe, Healthy Chicken Dinner, One-Pan Meal, Gluten Free Chicken, Quick Chicken Recipe
