Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Printable)

Grilled vegetables and protein over fluffy quinoa with tangy tzatziki, olives, and feta for a complete Mediterranean meal.

# What You Need:

→ Protein & Main

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 pounds) or 16 ounces halloumi, sliced into 0.5-inch pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for drizzling
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
08 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Grains

09 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

11 - 1 medium zucchini, cut into 0.5-inch rounds
12 - 1 red bell pepper, cored and quartered
13 - 1 small eggplant, cut into 0.5-inch rounds
14 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, whole
15 - 0.5 red onion, cut into 8 wedges
16 - 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
17 - 1 medium cucumber, diced

→ Toppings

18 - 0.25 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
19 - 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Tzatziki Sauce

21 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
22 - 0.5 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
23 - 1 clove garlic, minced
24 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
25 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried dill
26 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
27 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Squeeze excess moisture from grated cucumber using paper towels. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add chicken or halloumi and toss thoroughly to coat. Transfer half of the marinade mixture to a separate bowl and add zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas. Toss vegetables to coat evenly. Cover both bowls and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff gently with a fork.
04 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or cooking surface to prevent sticking.
05 - Place marinated chicken or halloumi on the preheated grill. For chicken, grill 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F. For halloumi, grill 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden grill marks appear. Remove from grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice chicken if using.
06 - Using a grill basket or directly on the grates, arrange zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas on the grill. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables are tender-crisp and develop charred spots.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken or halloumi, grilled vegetables, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
08 - Drizzle each bowl with additional extra-virgin olive oil and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of charred vegetables and cool tzatziki hits every texture and temperature your craves
  • Its one of those meals that makes you feel nourished without leaving you heavy
  • The marinade does double duty, infusing both protein and vegetables with layers of flavor
02 -
  • Patting your vegetables relatively dry before marinating helps them char instead of steam on the grill
  • The tzatziki really does need time in the fridge, so make it first and let it hang out
  • Letting grilled meat rest for even just 5 minutes makes a huge difference in juiciness
03 -
  • Soak your wooden skewers for 30 minutes if using them, or just use a grill basket for easier turning
  • Let the grilled vegetables rest for a few minutes off the heat so they settle and their juices redistribute
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