Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Quinoa Salad

healthy recipe

Published in

Simply Fresh

5 min readMay 12, 2023

The Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Quinoa Salad recipe is a vibrant and healthy dish that combines grilled chicken breasts marinated in a zesty lemon and herb mixture with a refreshing quinoa salad packed with vegetables and fresh herbs.

To prepare the dish, the boneless, skinless chicken breasts are marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. This imparts a bright and tangy flavor to the chicken. The marinated chicken is then grilled until cooked through, resulting in juicy and flavorful chicken breasts.

While the chicken is grilling, the quinoa salad is prepared. Quinoa is cooked until tender and then cooled. It is then combined with diced cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, adding crispness and color to the salad. Chopped fresh parsley and mint contribute vibrant herbaceous notes. The salad is dressed with lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, creating a light and refreshing dressing that complements the other ingredients.

Once the chicken is done, it is allowed to rest for a few minutes before being sliced. The grilled lemon herb chicken is served alongside the quinoa salad, creating a complete and balanced meal. The flavors of the tangy grilled chicken pair beautifully with the fresh and herb-infused quinoa salad, resulting in a dish that is both satisfying and nutritious.

This recipe is a fantastic option for those seeking a flavorful and healthful meal that showcases the natural goodness of ingredients like chicken, lemon, herbs, and quinoa.

The cook time for the Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Quinoa Salad recipe may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the heat of your grill. However, as a general guideline, here’s an estimate of the cook time:

Marinating time: 30 minutes to 4 hours
Quinoa cooking time: 15 minutes
Grilling time for chicken: 6–8 minutes per side

So, overall, you can expect the total cook time to be around 51–67 minutes, including the marinating time. It’s important to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before removing it from the grill. Remember to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute and the flavors to settle.

Ingredients

For the chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Juice of 2 lemons
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or basil)
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the quinoa salad

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 cucumber, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, bring the quinoa and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the excess marinade. Grill the chicken for about 6–8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, diced red onion, chopped parsley, chopped mint, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
Serve the grilled lemon herb chicken alongside the quinoa salad. You can garnish the dish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

This Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Quinoa Salad is a nutritious and satisfying meal. The chicken is infused with tangy lemon and aromatic herbs, while the quinoa salad provides a refreshing and colorful side. It’s a great option for a healthy lunch or dinner. Enjoy!

For the Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken:

Calories: 230
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 73mg
Sodium: 120mg
Total Carbohydrates: 1g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 28g

For the Quinoa Salad:

Calories: 240
Total Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 99mg
Total Carbohydrates: 31g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 7g

Please note that these nutrition facts are approximate and can vary based on the specific ingredients used and any modifications made to the recipe. Additionally, serving sizes may vary, so it’s important to adjust the quantities accordingly.

Add roasted vegetables: Consider adding some roasted vegetables to the quinoa salad. Toss diced vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them until tender. Mix them into the quinoa salad for added flavor, texture, and nutrition.
Incorporate a creamy element: To add a creamy and tangy element to the dish, you can mix in some crumbled feta cheese or add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top of the quinoa salad. This will provide a delightful contrast to the grilled chicken and fresh flavors of the salad.
Make it spicier: If you enjoy spicy flavors, you can add some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the marinade for the chicken. You can also sprinkle some chili powder or cayenne pepper on the grilled chicken before serving.
Customize the herbs: Experiment with different herbs to suit your taste preferences. Besides the suggested herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil, you can try adding dill, cilantro, or oregano to the marinade or the quinoa salad for unique flavor profiles.
Serve with a side dish: Consider serving the Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken and Quinoa Salad with a side dish like grilled vegetables, steamed asparagus, or a simple green salad. This will provide additional variety and nutritional balance to the meal.

Feel free to personalize the recipe based on your preferences and dietary needs. These suggestions can help you elevate the flavors and textures of the dish to suit your taste buds. Enjoy your meal!