Pan-Seared Chicken with Herb-Infused Gluten-Free Quinoa
Tender pan-seared chicken breasts served alongside fluffy quinoa cooked with fresh herbs for a light, gluten-free meal. This Mediterranean-inspired gluten-free recipe (high protein), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, salt 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 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh thyme
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dry quinoa under cold water until clear, then combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: While quinoa cooks, season 2 chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly on both sides.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: In the last 3 minutes of quinoa cooking, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Fluff quinoa with a fork and mix until fragrant and evenly combined.
- Step 5: Serve the pan-seared chicken breasts alongside the herb-infused quinoa, spooning any pan juices over the chicken for added flavor.








