Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Print version)

Charred vegetables and grilled chicken or halloumi over quinoa with tzatziki, olives, and feta create this vibrant Mediterranean bowl.

# What You'll 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 eight 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:

01 - Squeeze excess moisture from the grated cucumber using paper towels. In a bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate while preparing the remaining components.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add chicken or halloumi and toss to coat. Transfer half the marinade to a separate bowl and add zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas. Toss 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 quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or cooking surface.
05 - Place marinated chicken or halloumi on the grill. Grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, or halloumi 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden grill marks appear. Remove and rest for 5 minutes, then slice chicken if using.
06 - Using a grill basket or directly on the grates, cook zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender-crisp with charred spots.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa among four bowls. Top each with sliced chicken or halloumi, grilled vegetables, diced cucumber, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
08 - Drizzle each bowl with extra-virgin olive oil and a generous portion of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like vacation but uses ingredients you probably already have sitting around.
  • The marinated vegetables get this caramelized char that makes even picky eaters reach for seconds.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just grill when hunger strikes.
  • Swapping chicken for halloumi takes less than a minute and keeps everyone at the table happy.
02 -
  • Do not skip squeezing the cucumber for the tzatziki, I learned this the hard way when my first batch turned into soup.
  • Marinating for at least 30 minutes is non-negotiable, anything less and the flavors stay on the surface instead of soaking in.
  • Let your chicken rest after grilling or all the juices run out the second you slice it.
  • Rinse your quinoa well or it tastes bitter and soapy, a fine-mesh strainer is your friend here.
03 -
  • Add a handful of toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds right before serving for extra crunch and richness.
  • If you marinate overnight, the vegetables get even more flavorful and the chicken stays incredibly juicy.
  • Use a fine-mesh strainer to rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.
  • Double the tzatziki recipe because it disappears faster than you think and works as a dip for everything.
Go back