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Fresh Lemon-Herb Chicken Dinner Bowl

fresh lemon-herb chicken dinner bowl - featured image
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A quick and easy healthy meal featuring juicy lemon-herb marinated chicken paired with a crisp, refreshing salad and zesty dressing. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin for best flavor)
  • Juice and zest of 2 lemons (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, romaine)
  • 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup radishes, thinly sliced
  • Fresh herbs (a handful of chopped dill or basil)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (for dressing)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for dressing)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (for dressing)
  • Optional: cooked quinoa or brown rice
  • Optional: crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Optional: toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken (10 minutes prep + 15 minutes marinating): In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Cover and let marinate at room temperature for about 15 minutes (no longer than 30 minutes).
  2. Prepare the Salad (10 minutes): Rinse and dry salad greens using a salad spinner. Thinly slice cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and radishes. Chop fresh herbs like dill or basil. Toss everything gently in a large bowl.
  3. Make the Dressing (5 minutes): In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Cook the Chicken (12-15 minutes): Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil if needed. Remove chicken from marinade and place in hot pan. Cook about 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and chicken has a golden crust.
  5. Rest the Chicken (5 minutes): Transfer chicken to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
  6. Assemble the Bowl (5 minutes): Slice chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. If using, spoon cooked quinoa or brown rice into bowls first. Add a generous handful of crisp salad on the side. Drizzle with lemon dressing and sprinkle optional toppings like feta or toasted nuts.

Notes

[‘Marinate chicken for 15-30 minutes to infuse flavor without making it mushy or overly acidic.’, ‘Rest chicken after cooking to keep it juicy and tender.’, ‘Use fresh herbs for best flavor; double dried herbs if fresh are unavailable.’, ‘Cook chicken over medium-high heat for a perfect sear without burning garlic or lemon.’, ‘Prepare salad and dressing while chicken cooks to save time.’, ‘Optional grains and toppings can be added for heartier bowls.’, ‘For a low-carb option, skip grains and add avocado and nuts.’, ‘Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts; adjust cooking time accordingly.’, ‘Reheat chicken gently; avoid reheating salad to maintain crispness.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, healthy dinner bowl, quick chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, lemon chicken salad, meal prep chicken bowl

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/fresh-lemon-herb-chicken-dinner-bowl-recipe-easy-healthy-meal-idea/