Grilled Lemon-Turmeric Chicken with Spiced Quinoa

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in lemon and turmeric, served on a bed of aromatic spiced quinoa. This middle eastern-inspired chicken (gluten free, high protein) ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken breasts, lemon juice, ground turmeric for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water and drain. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa and 1/2 tsp ground coriander, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and brush with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is nicely charred.
  4. Step 4: Serve grilled chicken sliced over the spiced quinoa and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Turmeric Chicken with Spiced Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (40 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 Grilled Lemon-Turmeric Chicken with Spiced Quinoa?

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 breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Turmeric Chicken with Spiced Quinoa?

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 Grilled Lemon-Turmeric Chicken with Spiced Quinoa for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Grilled Lemon-Turmeric Chicken with Spiced Quinoa gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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