Boiled Chicken and Herb Quinoa Bowl with Citrus Vinaigrette
A light and healthy bowl featuring tender boiled chicken breast served over fluffy herb-infused quinoa, brightened with a tangy citrus vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired healthy bowl recipe (gluten free, low fat), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs skinless chicken breast, quinoa, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 tsp divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp orange zest
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 12 oz skinless chicken breast in a medium pot and cover with 4 cups cold water. Add 1/2 tsp salt and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F internally. Remove and let rest.
- Step 2: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until clear. In a saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified and fragrant.
- Step 4: Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint. Slice the rested chicken breast into thin strips.
- Step 5: To serve, divide the quinoa into bowls, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle the citrus vinaigrette over everything for a fresh, balanced flavor.









