Grilled Balsamic and Lemon Chicken Quinoa Bowls

July 16, 2014

Grilled Balsamic Lemon Chicken Quinoa Bowls | Sarcastic Cooking

Guys. I think there is something wrong with me? Add it to the ever growing list, amiright?

While most normal people are all, “Ohhh it’s summer. I should go walking and work out more and eat right because of swimsuit season.” I am all “IT’S VACATION FROM EVERYTHING INCLUDING EATING HEALTHY!!!! Bring on the nachos, gelato, and adult bevvies!”

Yep. But, you know what? It is not my fault.

First off, I blame Mike. (Most things around here are usually his fault). He is a high school teacher and is currently on summer vacation. Normally he teaches summer school to bring in a lil extra cash but this summer he decided not to in order to spend more time with Andy. You can say, “Aww.” It is sweet.

Quinoa Bowl Ingredients

However, Mike being home all the time is bad for business. He is all up in my biz asking questions and itching to get out or go do something. Most things include eating Chipotle or bar food or drinking beers on the deck. All things that are so not going to help me feel good in my practically a 1920’s full-body one piece swimsuit.

Since I am soooo easy going, (HA!) I just give in. After all it his summer vacation and why should I force us to eat hmmm, quinoa or leafy greens? That would just cramp his style and nothing about that says vacation.

The next person I blame is my mom. I can already tell you that after reading that sentence my mom said out loud to herself in her best Eyore voice, “That’s fine. Go ahead blame me. You blame me for everything else.” Where do you think I get my flair for dramatics from anyway?

Ok, back to the blame game.

My mom and I went on this amazing three night mother daughter trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. Whilst there we both decided to just let loose and not care about plans or calories. We ordered beers at the pool and chips and salsa every day. At night she made me order nachos and have many many glasses of wine with dinner.

Balsamic Lemon Grilled Chicken

HAHAHA! OK I was the one pressuring the nacho binge that almost killed my mom mid-dinner. We seriously had to leave after that plate of nachos because we were both stuffed. But! But, it was my mom who made me carry on the “devil may care” attitude throughout the whole trip therefore, leading to the caloric overload.

Now that I am back to reality, I am taking matters into my own hands and not letting these waistline terrorists get to me anymore! I bought a tooooon of groceries which were mostly produce and lean meats. We are having a midsummer switch up and getting this semi-health conscious train back on track.

I am starting with this simple grilled chicken quinoa bowl. It is the easiest dinner to make and is super filling. You can sub in any vegetables or even fruit you have on hand. I already feel my waistline slimming as we speak!

Grilled Balsamic Lemon Chicken Quinoa Bowls | Sarcastic Cooking

Hmmm… Or maybe now that I ate so healthy I can sneak in a little scoop of ice cream. Right?!?!?!

Grilled Balsamic and Lemon Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Super versatile, easy, and healthy quinoa and chicken bowl. Great for a fast weeknight meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • Marinade:
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 Clove Garlic grated
  • 1 Teaspoon Oregano
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • Zest from 1 Lemon
  • Juice from 1 Lemon
  • Bowls:
  • 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 2 Cups Cooked Quinoa
  • 1 Bell Pepper chopped
  • ½ Cup Sliced Black Olives
  • 1 Avocado sliced
  • 1 Large Tomato chopped/diced
  • Fresh Basil
  • Juice of 1 Lemon
  • Drizzle of Balsamic Syrup
  • Additional Toppings: Fresh Mozzarella Edamame, Banana Peppers, Hard-Boiled Egg, Cucumber

Instructions

  1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large sealable plastic bag. Add chicken breasts, seal the bag, and shake a few times to evenly coat the chicken and combine the marinade. Marinade the chicken in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
  2. With the grill on high, grill each side of the chicken for 7-9 minutes until it pulls away from the grill easily. Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before slicing.
  3. Add ½ a cup of quinoa to each bowl. Top with a little bit of each ingredient. Finish off with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of bottled balsamic syrup.

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  • francesca
    July 22, 2014 at 8:28 am

    These make the best leftovers for lunch! I don’t have to wrestle with the microwave, and (!) quinoa means I can have lots.
    -From one easy going lady to another

  • Juliaq
    July 17, 2014 at 10:48 am

    Summer is for the eating! I don’t know why people are always like, “gaaaah, I’m sooooo hot, I just couldn’t pooooossibly eat in the suuuummer..” For whatever reason, my appetite for otherworldly delicious foods skyrockets in the summer. Chipotle burritos? Let put some away. And then eat a plate of nachos.

    Anyhoo, your super scrumptious grilled bowls look amaaaazing to me! I needs!

  • Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    July 16, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    This kind of reminds me of a healthy alternative to my beloved Chipotle burrito bowls! Looks delicious!

  • Amy | Club Narwhal
    July 16, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Nachos? Bar food? Chipotle!? You guys are basically living my dream summer 🙂 And all my burger-binging this summer definitely has made me need this quinoa bowl in a major way. Looks fantastic!

  • Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
    July 16, 2014 at 8:15 am

    Sometimes you just gotta let loose and eat all the nachos/drink all the beers… but eating a bowl like this afterward doesn’t seem like a sacrifice at all! So much healthy yumminess!

  • Jennie @themessybakerblog
    July 16, 2014 at 7:52 am

    Your summer and Scottsdale trip sound amazing! Three cheers for beers! I’m in love with this here healthy bowl. Pass me a fork. Pinned.