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Healthy Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Healthy Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep Bowls for Easy Weekdays

Healthy Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep Bowls are a delicious and nourishing meal option that are perfect for busy weekdays.
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Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Healthy
Keyword: chicken, Healthy Recipe, Lemon Garlic, meal prep, Nutritious, quick meals
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Calories: 450kcal

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • Shallow dish or zip-top bag
  • Saucepan
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • large skillet
  • Meal prep containers

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

  • 1.5 lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil Helps tenderize the chicken
  • 4 cloves Garlic Finely minced
  • 1 Lemon zest Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 3 tablespoon Freshly squeezed lemon juice About 1 large lemon
  • 1.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon Sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional) For a bit of heat

Roasted Vegetables

  • 2 medium Broccoli crowns Cut into small florets (about 4 cups)
  • 1 large Red bell pepper Sliced into strips
  • 1 large Yellow bell pepper Sliced into strips
  • 1 medium Red onion Cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil For roasting
  • 1 teaspoon Sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning or oregano

Grain Base

  • 1.5 cups Uncooked brown rice, quinoa, or a mix of both
  • 3 cups Low-sodium chicken broth or water
  • 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt

Garnishing

  • 1 large Lemon wedges Cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh parsley Finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh dill or cilantro (optional) Finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle (optional) For richness
  • 0.25 cups Crumbled feta cheese or sliced avocado (optional) For topping

Instructions

Marination and Cooking

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Pat the chicken breasts dry, place them in a shallow dish or zip-top bag, and pour the marinade over. Ensure to turn the chicken to coat completely, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours.

Cooking Grains

  • Rinse uncooked brown rice or quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine the grains with low-sodium chicken broth or water and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover and let it simmer until tender, then remove from heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes to steam.

Roasting Vegetables

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange broccoli crowns, sliced red and yellow bell peppers, and red onion wedges. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning. Toss to coat all the veggies evenly, then roast them for 18-22 minutes until golden and tender.

Cooking Chicken

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Remove the marinated chicken, allowing any excess marinade to drip off, then place it in the hot skillet. Cook until browned on one side, then flip and continue cooking until the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let it rest before slicing.

Assembling Bowls

  • Divide the cooked grains evenly among 4-5 meal prep containers. Layer with roasted vegetables and sliced chicken. Garnish each bowl with fresh parsley, dill or cilantro if desired, and a wedge of lemon.

Notes

Chicken should be marinated for at least 30 minutes, but longer enhances flavor. Rinse grains for fluffiness. Spread vegetables on the baking sheet to avoid steaming. Use medium-high heat for chicken for optimal sear. Store toppings separately for freshness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 800mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1200IU | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg