A light, satisfying lunch bowl with grilled chicken, fluffy quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and a bright lemon-herb yogurt dressing. Designed as a balanced classic meal to support steady weight loss while keeping energy high for your active routine.
🥘 Ingredients
- 120 g skinless chicken breast
- 60 g dry quinoa
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
👨🍳 Instructions
-
1
Rinse the quinoa under cold water. Cook it according to package instructions until fluffy, then let it cool slightly.
-
2
Season the chicken breast with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
-
3
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through. Let it rest for 2 minutes, then slice.
-
4
In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper to make the dressing.
-
5
Assemble the bowl with spinach, cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, sliced chicken, and avocado.
-
6
Drizzle the lemon-herb yogurt dressing over the top and serve immediately.
📊 Nutritional Information
- Fiber: 8 g per serving
- Vitamin C: supports immune health from tomatoes and lemon
- Vitamin K: rich from spinach
- Potassium: provided by avocado and vegetables
- Iron: present in spinach and quinoa
- Calcium: contributed by Greek yogurt
💡 Cooking Tips
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Rinsing quinoa before cooking helps remove bitterness.
- If meal prepping, store the dressing separately to keep the vegetables fresh.
- Use a meat thermometer if available; chicken is safely cooked at 75 C internally.
- Slice the avocado just before serving to reduce browning.
✨ Why This Recipe is Perfect for You
This lunch is tailored for your weight-loss goal by keeping calories controlled while still giving you strong protein, fiber, and satisfying textures. Since you work out 3 to 5 times per week, the balanced mix of lean protein and smart carbs can help fuel recovery without feeling heavy. At 49, staying motivated and consistent is a huge accomplishment, and this fresh, energizing bowl reflects that steady progress with a simple routine-friendly meal you can keep coming back to.