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Fresh Mediterranean Lemon Dill Chicken Bowls

Mediterranean lemon dill chicken bowls - featured image
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A quick, easy, and healthy Mediterranean-inspired chicken bowl featuring lemon and dill marinade, served with a creamy cottage cheese tzatziki and fresh vegetables. Perfect for meal prep and satisfying dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa (about 370 g cooked)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (for tzatziki)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced (for tzatziki)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (for tzatziki)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (for tzatziki)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, ideally 30–45 minutes.
  2. Cook brown rice or quinoa according to package instructions (about 15–20 minutes). Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, slice olives and red onion thinly. Prepare just before assembling to keep fresh.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a teaspoon of water if too thick.
  5. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken breasts for 5–6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and surface is golden with slight char. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
  6. Divide cooked rice or quinoa among bowls. Top with sliced chicken, diced vegetables, and a generous dollop of tzatziki. Garnish with extra fresh dill or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken longer than 2 hours to avoid ‘cooking’ the meat with lemon juice. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F for juiciness. Slice chicken against the grain for better texture. If no blender is available, whisk tzatziki ingredients but sauce will be less creamy. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and omit cottage cheese or use blended silken tofu.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon dill chicken, Mediterranean chicken bowl, healthy chicken recipe, meal prep chicken bowl, tzatziki sauce, easy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/fresh-mediterranean-lemon-dill-chicken-bowls-easy-healthy-recipe-for-meal-prep/