One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed Quinoa

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with zesty lemon and garlic, served over fluffy, herbed quinoa. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, freshly squeezed lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and sear for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown but not fully cooked.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, and add 1 cup rinsed quinoa. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the quinoa is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed Quinoa 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.

What goes well with One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed Quinoa?

Mediterranean one pot 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.

Related recipes