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Here’s a new favorite go-to recipe: Chicken and Quinoa Bowl. It’s as simple as it gets. I always have quinoa and chicken on hand and then I literally just throw whatever veggies and seasonings I have that day. This combination of chicken and quinoa with kale and tomatoes is definitely a winner.
If you’re not already eating quinoa, start trying to incorporate it in your diet at least 2-3 times a month where you would normally have rice. Quinoa looks like a grain so it kinda fools our bodies to believe we’re eating a grain, but it’s actually a seed and it’s one of the most protein-rich foods, containing all 9 essential amino acids. If that doesn’t make you keen for quinoa, I dunno what will!
RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL
How do you make chicken and quinoa bowl
Cook the quinoa
Place the quinoa and water in a pot, bring to a boil and then simmer. Remove from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes and fluff with a fork. And if you’d like more details, check out my step-by-step tutorial on how to cook quinoa.
Cook the chicken
Coat the chicken all over with the seasoning mixture. You can use a large bowl to mix the spices or a ziplock bag. If you have time, let the chicken marinate in the seasoning for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the chicken in a skillet on both sides until cooked through. Let it rest before slicing it for best results.
Cook any side vegetables
In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken, sauté the kale until softened. Remove the kale and sauté the tomatoes in that same skillet. You can repeat this with whatever vegetables you’re using.
Assemble the chicken and quinoa bowls by dividing the quinoa, chicken, kale, tomatoes and almonds between four bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Tips to make the quinoa bowl
- Make the perfect quinoa for this chicken bowl by using the tips in my how to cook quinoa post. You can make it extra flavorful by cooking it with chicken broth, or toasting the quinoa before cooking cooking.
- Save on time by buying pre-cooked quinoa that you can quickly and easily add to the bowl. You can also meal prep 2 cups of quinoa at the beginning of the week to have on hand for recipes.
- Add in other vegetables. This bowl is really versatile and is a great way to use up bits and pieces in your fridge. Try adding in cooked spinach, red bell pepper or mushrooms.
- Don’t over cook the chicken. If you have an instant read thermometer, it should register at 165F. Be sure to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it so that the juices redistribute.
Frequently asked questions
I like to use either skinless and boneless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for this recipe. You can also make it with chicken thighs, but they will require a slightly longer cooking time.
You can make elements of this bowl ahead of time. The vegetables should be cooked just before serving, but you can cook the quinoa up to 5 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge. The chicken can also be cooked and kept in the same way for up to 3 days.
I love how quick and easy it is to make these loaded quinoa bowls! The chicken is so full of flavor and it’s so adaptable so you ca add in all kinds of veggies! It’s so perfect for a lunch or easy weeknight meal.
More similar bowl recipes
- Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
- Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Tex Mex Breakfast Bowl
- Vegan Buddha Bowl
- Grain Bowls – 3 Ways
If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feel good Chicken and Quinoa Bowl recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
Chicken and Quinoa Bowl
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups uncooked quinoa
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups kale chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup toasted silvered almonds
- Parsley chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a small saucepan and add 2 ¼ cup water. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to a simmer and cook covered for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Allow the quinoa to rest in the saucepan for about 5 minutes, without opening the lid, to absorb all the liquid and steam. Uncover and fluff with a fork to separate the quinoa.
- In a shallow bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon olive oil along with the paprika, turmeric, coriander, onion powder, salt and pepper. Add chicken to the bowl and coat in the seasoning mixture.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Transfer the chicken to the skillet and cook until the juices run clear, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from heat and allow it to cool, then slice each breast into strips.
- In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, add the kale and cook on medium-high heat until softened and charred, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. You may have to cook in batches. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the cherry tomatoes and cook on medium-high heat until softened and charred, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside.
- Assemble the chicken and quinoa bowls by dividing the quinoa, chicken, kale, tomatoes and almonds between four bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
If you use leftover quinoa, should it be reheated or is cold ok? TIA.
Whatever you prefer! I often do cold leftover quinoa in bowls and salads for lunch but warm would also be good.
We really really liked this!! Wasn’t super time consuming and it truly was super flavorful! I used my cast iron skillet for the chicken and veg!
We used spinach instead of kale, and I am glad the recipe had toasted almonds because that crunch was awesome!!
Thanks so much for your kind feedback!
Excellent! I used red bell pepper and baby spinach in addition to the cherry tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe!
Sounds great!!
3-4 minutes on each side for chicken breast is not enough to cook through in my experience. I followed this and chicken came out undercooked, had to throw it back in the pan.
Sorry I used chicken tenders for this recipe which does take about 3-4 minutes per side. But my ingredients list chicken breast or chicken tenders, which does make a difference in the cook time. I changed the ingredient to be just chicken tenders to match the photos and the expected cook time. Sorry for any confusion.
I made this with Lebanese rice and it was delish!! Added some Greek yogurt to it, too. It was filling and satisfying.
How you make those do you have recipes
Hi Joy, the recipe is right above the comment section. I hope you enjoy!
Sorry, this was not a favorite of mine. I think I would use spinach instead of kale and I would use sweet tomatoes. Needs a little sweetness to it.
Love that idea!!
This was delicious and easy! I used spinach instead of kale, but otherwise followed the recipe. I prepped the chicken ahead of time and let it marinate for 3 hours, and when it was finally cooked it had a very nice flavor. There was not any extra marinate/sauce though, so next time I might double the sauce for the chicken. Thanks for an easy healthy recipe!
Thank you so much! You can definitely do that. You’re welcome!!
My family went gaga over this recipe. So fun, fresh, and flavorful! I was worried that the quinoa would be boring–just cooked in plain water–but it allowed the other flavors to shine. Such a fun assortment of flavors and textures! Thank you thank you! I’m thinking of having this be the meal I prepare when it’s my night at our family reunion this summer. I’d love your advice–can any of these items be prepared ahead of time and stored?
I’m so happy you all enjoyed it! Yay!! For the elements of this bowl that you can make ahead of time: the vegetables should be cooked just before serving, but you can cook the quinoa up to 5 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge. The chicken can also be cooked and kept in the same way for up to 3 days.
I made the chicken and kale bowl last night but wasn’t home when my daughter started cooking it and my husband and sons almost ate all the chicken! They loved the flavor, and it never made it to a bowl! They were eating platefuls and I couldn’t believe how much they liked it. All gone!
So happy to hear that!! Hope you guys make it again!
I love this recipe. It is so delicious and healthy. Plus I love the fact that you are so precise and through in giving the amounts and time.
Aww I’m so glad to hear it!! Thank you!!
Our family loved this recipe! I used chicken broth to cook the quinoa for added flavor. I didn’t have the full amount of cherry tomatoes, I look forward to cooking it again with a whole pint. Some of us added dried cherries when serving for a little sweetness, one daughter added Greek dressing.
Oh I love how everyone served it a little differently! So glad the whole family loved it. Thank you!
Just made this and it was a good starter dish for someone without quinoa experience. We added a little cayenne pepper sauce at the table.
So glad to hear it! Thanks 🙂
This looks so delicious and packed full of amazing flavors, Can’t wait try!