Busy Nurse's Chicken & Quinoa Bowl
A balanced, protein-rich bowl with herb-marinated chicken and fluffy quinoa, ready in 25 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired one pot (high-protein, gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken breast, quinoa, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 chicken breast
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup zucchini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz chicken breast dry and season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until broth is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 3: While quinoa cooks, chop 1 cup zucchini into 1/2-inch cubes. Add zucchini and 1 cup cherry tomatoes to the skillet with the chicken juices. Sauté for 5 minutes until zucchini is tender but still crisp.
- Step 4: Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork. Divide quinoa between bowls, top with chicken, zucchini-tomato mixture, and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Busy Nurse's Chicken & Quinoa Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Busy Nurse's Chicken & Quinoa Bowl?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Busy Nurse's Chicken & Quinoa Bowl?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Busy Nurse's Chicken & Quinoa Bowl for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Busy Nurse's Chicken & Quinoa Bowl high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
