Description

Easy Garlic Lemon Chicken Quinoa is a quick, wholesome, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken marinated in fresh garlic and zesty lemon, paired with fluffy protein-rich quinoa. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this one-pan meal balances vibrant herbs and savory notes for a nutritious, delicious dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

1 lb chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Quinoa

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth

For Cooking and Flavoring

1 tbsp olive oil (natural), for sautéing
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Additional fresh lemon juice, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix fresh garlic, lemon juice, olive oil (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in the marinade and let it sit for about 10 minutes while preparing the quinoa.
Cook the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil, add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is fluffy and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil (natural) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add marinated chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Combine and Flavor: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil (natural) if needed and sauté fresh garlic until fragrant. Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cooked quinoa, and toss together. Stir in fresh parsley and thyme, then adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Serve Warm: Transfer to plates or bowls while warm. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired for extra freshness.

Notes

Marinate chicken longer if possible, up to overnight, for richer flavor.
Rinse quinoa well to reduce bitterness.
Cook quinoa with broth instead of water for enhanced flavor.
Cook chicken just until done to maintain tenderness and juiciness.
Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve vibrant color and aroma.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: garlic lemon chicken quinoa, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, one-pan meal, protein-rich quinoa, easy chicken dinner