Lemon Vinaigrette Grilled Chicken (Print Version)

Juicy grilled chicken with fresh veggies and a bright lemon vinaigrette for a light, nutritious bowl.

# Components:

→ 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

→ Chicken

09 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1.5 pounds
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

→ Vegetable Bowl

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, red, yellow, or orange
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

# Directions:

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 to 6 minutes per side 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 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can have dinner ready before you know it.
  • The lemon vinaigrette is so good you'll start using it on everything, and the protein-packed bowl keeps you full without the afternoon slump.
02 -
  • The chicken needs to rest after grilling or it'll lose all its moisture and become tough, no matter how perfectly you cooked it.
  • Make the vinaigrette ahead of time because it actually tastes better after the flavors have a few hours to get to know each other.
03 -
  • Invest in a good instant-read meat thermometer because it takes the guesswork out of grilling and prevents dry chicken every single time.
  • Don't skip the lemon zest in the vinaigrette, as it's the difference between a good dressing and one that makes people ask for the recipe.
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