Herb-Roasted Chicken with Quinoa and Cherry Tomatoes
A Mediterranean-inspired dish with juicy chicken thighs roasted with aromatic herbs, served over fluffy quinoa and roasted cherry tomatoes. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (mediterranean) ready in about 75 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken thighs, olive oil, (minced) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 tbsp (chopped) rosemary
- 1 tbsp (chopped) thyme
- 1 lemon (zested) lemon zest
- 1 cup (uncooked) quinoa
- 2 cups (halved) cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 (sliced) red onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, mix chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Spread cherry tomatoes and red onion on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer chicken to the baking sheet with vegetables, brush with remaining olive oil, and roast for 25-30 minutes until golden and juices run clear. Cook quinoa in salted boiling water for 15 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve chicken over quinoa with roasted tomatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Roasted Chicken with Quinoa and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 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-Roasted Chicken with Quinoa and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted Chicken with Quinoa and Cherry Tomatoes?
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-Roasted Chicken with Quinoa and Cherry Tomatoes 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.
What goes well with Herb-Roasted Chicken with Quinoa and Cherry Tomatoes?
Mediterranean mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
