Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Print Version)

Charred vegetables and grilled protein over quinoa with tzatziki, olives, and feta for a wholesome Mediterranean bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 the grated cucumber using paper towels. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate while preparing remaining components.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add chicken or halloumi and toss to coat thoroughly. Transfer half the marinade to a separate bowl and add zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas. Toss vegetables to coat evenly. Cover both bowls and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a rolling boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover with lid, 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 a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or cooking surface to prevent sticking.
05 - Place marinated chicken or halloumi on the grill. Grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through with internal temperature reaching 165°F, or halloumi 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden grill marks appear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice chicken if using.
06 - Using a grill basket or placing directly on grates, cook 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 evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl 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 scoop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Every bite feels like a different texture and flavor, so you never get bored halfway through.
  • It looks like restaurant food but dirty dishes stay minimal.
  • You can swap the protein and still get that same satisfying charred sweetness from the veggies.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the quinoa soaks up all the juices.
02 -
  • If you skip squeezing the cucumber for the tzatziki, it will turn into soup within an hour and make your bowl soggy.
  • Marinating for only ten minutes will not ruin the dish, but thirty minutes or more makes the chicken taste like it came from a real Mediterranean grill.
  • Halloumi needs high heat and fast cooking or it turns rubbery, so do not overthink it.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling or all the juice runs out onto the cutting board instead of staying inside.
03 -
  • Pat the chicken and halloumi dry before marinating so the oil and lemon actually stick instead of sliding off.
  • If your grill is too hot, the outside of the chicken will char before the inside cooks, so aim for medium-high and use a thermometer.
  • Make a double batch of tzatziki, it disappears faster than you think and tastes great on pita, sandwiches, or straight from the spoon.
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