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A one-pan, flavorful Garlic Lemon Chicken Quinoa dish combining juicy chicken breasts with aromatic quinoa cooked in lemon and garlic, perfect for a healthy, quick dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pieces Chicken breasts (Boneless and skinless)
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves (Freshly minced)
  • 1/4 cup Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 cup Quinoa (Rinsed)
  • 2 cups Chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley (Chopped)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (Optional, for heat)
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (Optional, halved)
  • 2 cups Spinach or kale (Optional, tossed in near the end)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  2. Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade and let sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the marinated chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and juices run clear.
  5. Add the rinsed quinoa into the skillet and stir for about 2 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant.
  6. Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, stir gently, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.
  7. Simmer covered for about 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  8. Place the cooked chicken on top of the quinoa, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes for flavors to meld and chicken to remain juicy.
  9. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and add optional halved cherry tomatoes or red pepper flakes before serving.
  10. Toss in optional spinach or kale near the end of cooking to soften without losing color and nutrients.

Notes

For a fresh, bright flavor, squeeze extra lemon juice over the dish right before serving., Do not marinate chicken longer than 30 minutes to avoid mushy texture., Toast quinoa before simmering to enhance its nuttiness and keep grains fluffy., Use medium heat for cooking chicken to keep it tender and juicy., Let the dish rest covered after cooking to allow flavors to meld properly., Add greens like spinach or kale at the end to preserve their color and nutrition.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cozyovenkitchen.com/easy-garlic-lemon-chicken-quinoa-that-bursts-with-flavor/