Mediterranean Chicken & Quinoa Bake

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Rest Time 10 mins

Total Time 1 hr 10 mins

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Beginner

Cooking Temp: 190 C

Servings: 6

Best Season: All Seasons

Description

This Mediterranean Chicken & Quinoa Bake is a wholesome, oven-baked one-dish meal packed with tender chicken, fluffy quinoa, roasted vegetables, and bold Mediterranean flavors. It’s a healthy, protein-rich dinner that’s perfect for meal prep, family dinners, and busy weeknights. Loaded with herbs, olive oil, and fresh ingredients, this comforting casserole is both nutritious and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

For the Quinoa Base

1.5 cup quinoa (rinsed thoroughly)
3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp olive oil
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper

For the Chicken

700 g boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized cubes)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
0.5 tsp ground cumin
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

For the Mediterranean Vegetable Layer

1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup zucchini (diced)
0.75 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
0.5 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
0.5 cup black olives (sliced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)

For the Topping

0.75 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tbsp fresh dill (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

Prepare the Quinoa Base

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rinsed quinoa, chicken broth, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
2
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. This will form the hearty base of the dish.

Season the Chicken

3
In another bowl, add the cubed chicken. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.
4
Mix thoroughly so each piece is fully coated with the seasoning. This step ensures deep Mediterranean flavor in every bite.

Layer the Vegetables

5
Scatter the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and minced garlic evenly over the quinoa base.
6
The vegetables will release natural juices while baking, adding moisture and enhancing the overall flavor.

Add the Chicken

7
Place the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the vegetables. Make sure the chicken is spread out rather than piled up, so it cooks evenly.
8
Lightly press everything down into the liquid to ensure proper cooking.

Bake

9
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 35 minutes.
10
After 35 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 75°C).
11
If needed, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for light browning on top.

Add the Finishing Touches

12
Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 10 minutes. This allows the quinoa to absorb remaining moisture and set properly.
13
Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top while the dish is still warm. Finish with chopped parsley, dill, and a light drizzle of olive oil.

Serve

14
Fluff gently with a fork before serving to combine layers slightly while keeping texture intact. Serve warm.

Note

Meal Prep Friendly: Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer Option: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Protein Variation: Substitute chicken breast with chicken thighs for extra juiciness.

Vegetable Variations: Add spinach, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra Mediterranean flavor.

Dairy-Free Option: Omit feta or replace with a plant-based alternative.

Extra Flavor Boost: Add a spoon of Greek yogurt or tzatziki when serving.

Keywords: healthy, high-protein, meal prep, Mediterranean, easy dinner

Read it online: https://petitepanini.com/recipe/mediterranean-chicken-quinoa-bake/