Description
Easy Garlic Lemon Chicken Quinoa is a quick and wholesome one-pan meal combining tender chicken breasts with fluffy quinoa, fresh garlic, and zesty lemon. Ready in under 30 minutes, this flavorful and nutritious dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. It is highly customizable with veggies, herbs, and spices, delivering bright, balanced flavors and a satisfying texture all in one skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Main Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, tender and lean
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and a little lemon zest. Heat olive oil (natural) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil (natural) and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, allowing the garlic flavor to infuse the oil.
- Cook the Quinoa: Add rinsed quinoa to the skillet, stirring to coat the grains with the garlicky oil. Pour in chicken broth and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and let the quinoa simmer until tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and gently fold them into the fluffy quinoa. Stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. The lemon juice brightens the dish, giving a fresh, lively flavor.
Notes
- Use warm chicken broth to help quinoa cook evenly and faster.
- Do not stir quinoa too much while cooking to keep it fluffy and avoid mushiness.
- Allow the chicken to rest before slicing to maintain juiciness.
- Always use fresh parsley or herbs for the most vibrant flavor.
- Adjust lemon juice gradually to balance brightness according to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: garlic lemon chicken, quinoa recipe, one-pan meal, quick dinner, healthy dinner, weeknight recipe, meal prep
