Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken with Quinoa
Tender chicken breasts marinated in zesty lemon and fresh herbs, served over fluffy quinoa and roasted vegetables for a balanced, light meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly) ready in about 70 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, zested and juiced lemon, chopped fresh rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each) chicken breast
- 2, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 4 cups, chopped vegetables (carrots, zucchini)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, combine chicken, lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, rosemary, garlic, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Spread vegetables on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Place chicken on a second baking sheet, pat dry, and roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 4: Cook quinoa in 2 cups boiling water for 15 minutes. Fluff and mix with remaining lemon juice.
- Step 5: Serve chicken over quinoa, topped with roasted vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken with Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken with 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 (6 oz each) chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken with 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 Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken with 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 Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken with Quinoa gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly 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.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.