Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Printable version)

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

# Needed ingredients:

→ Protein & Main

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds) or 16 ounces halloumi, sliced into 0.5-inch pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more 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 more 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 (15-ounce) can 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 it:

01 - Squeeze excess moisture from grated cucumber using paper towels. Combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. 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.
03 - Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan surface.
05 - Place marinated chicken or halloumi on heated grill. Grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through with internal temperature reaching 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 grates, cook marinated 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 equally among four serving bowls. Top each with sliced chicken or halloumi, grilled vegetables, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
08 - Drizzle each bowl with extra-virgin olive oil and a generous portion of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Every bowl delivers that perfect smoky char flavor usually reserved for restaurant grilling
  • You get protein, vegetables, grains, and creamy sauce in one satisfying forkful
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting time for grilled chicken, or you'll lose all those precious juices
  • The tzatziki really does need at least 30 minutes in the fridge to develop its full flavor
03 -
  • Let your marinated protein and vegetables come to room temperature before grilling for more even cooking
  • Brush vegetables with a little extra olive oil halfway through grilling if they look dry
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