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Flavorful New Year’s Eve Snacks Dinner Bowl with Easy Lemon-Herb Chicken

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A quick and easy lemon-herb chicken dinner bowl combining vibrant flavors and nourishing ingredients, perfect for New Year’s Eve or any festive occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (trimmed and pounded to even thickness)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice
  • 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for dressing)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for dressing)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for dressing)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (for dressing)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat well. Marinate for 10-15 minutes, no longer than 30 minutes.
  2. Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Cook according to package directions (usually 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water). Bring to a boil, then simmer covered until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. While quinoa cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, finely chop red onion, and crumble feta if using. Toss together in a bowl.
  4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
  5. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to make dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Assemble the bowl by placing a bed of greens, adding quinoa or rice, topping with sliced chicken and veggie mix. Drizzle dressing over and sprinkle additional herbs if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for better sear. Do not marinate longer than 30 minutes to avoid texture changes. Rinse quinoa thoroughly to avoid bitterness. Let chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices. Slice chicken against the grain for tenderness. Store dressing separately to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, dinner bowl, New Year’s Eve snacks, easy chicken recipe, healthy dinner, quinoa bowl, lemon chicken

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/flavorful-new-years-eve-snacks-dinner-bowl-with-easy-lemon-herb-chicken-recipe/