A satisfying, high-protein lunch bowl with grilled chicken, quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and a light lemon-yogurt dressing—designed to support weight loss while keeping you energized for your active week.
🥘 Ingredients
- 150 g skinless chicken breast
- 70 g dry quinoa
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 100 g plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
👨🍳 Instructions
-
1
Rinse the quinoa well, then cook it in water according to package instructions until fluffy, about 12 to 15 minutes.
-
2
While the quinoa cooks, season the chicken breast with garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
-
3
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, and cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden.
-
4
Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes, then slice it into strips.
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5
In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with lemon juice, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a little parsley to make the dressing.
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6
Assemble the bowl by adding spinach, cooked quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and avocado.
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7
Top with sliced chicken and spoon over the lemon-yogurt dressing.
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8
Finish with the remaining parsley and serve immediately.
📊 Nutritional Information
- Fiber: 9 g per serving
- Vitamin C: high from bell pepper, tomatoes, and lemon
- Vitamin K: rich from spinach
- Potassium: moderate amount from avocado, spinach, and vegetables
- Calcium: good source from Greek yogurt
- Iron: provided by spinach and quinoa
- Magnesium: present in quinoa and spinach
💡 Cooking Tips
- Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove bitterness and improve flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer if possible; chicken is safely cooked at 75 C internally.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Slice the vegetables evenly so the bowl has a better texture in every bite.
- If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate until lunch to maintain freshness.
- Be careful not to overheat the yogurt dressing, as it is meant to be served cold.
✨ Why This Recipe is Perfect for You
This lunch is built for you: a 44-year-old active man aiming to lose weight without sacrificing satisfaction or recovery. With your 3 to 5 weekly workouts and focus on feeling better in your body, this classic-style power bowl gives you strong protein, smart carbs, and plenty of volume from vegetables to help you stay full and energized. It supports your calorie goal while making healthy eating feel practical, enjoyable, and motivating.