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

lemon-herb chicken - featured image
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A colorful and festive dinner bowl featuring tender lemon-herb chicken, fresh veggies, grains, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for celebrations or a healthy, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • 2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons) for vinaigrette
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for vinaigrette
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste for vinaigrette

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice from 2 lemons, minced garlic, thyme, parsley, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
  3. Cook quinoa or brown rice according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes). For quinoa, rinse well and simmer 1 cup dry quinoa in 2 cups water until fluffy.
  4. While grains cook, prepare veggies: dice cucumber and red bell pepper, halve cherry tomatoes, slice avocado, and roughly chop spinach or mixed greens.
  5. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice from 1 lemon, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup (if using), salt, and pepper until emulsified.
  7. Assemble bowls by dividing cooked quinoa or rice, then arranging spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and sliced chicken on top.
  8. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and gently toss or serve dressing on the side.

Notes

Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes for best flavor; up to 2 hours or overnight is ideal. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Fresh herbs are preferred; if using dried, use one-third the amount. Fluff grains with a fork after cooking. Assemble bowls with veggies and chicken arranged in sections for best presentation. Store dressing separately if making ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, dinner bowl, healthy chicken recipe, quinoa bowl, easy chicken dinner, lemon vinaigrette, fresh herbs, New Year's Eve recipe

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