This comforting chicken and veggie quinoa bowl topped with a tangy Dijon mustard vinaigrette is great for meal prep.
Why you’ll love this Chicken Quinoa Bowl:
Perfect for meal prep- This dinner recipe takes about 40 minutes to come together. It can be easily meal prepped as all the cooked ingredients save well in the refrigerator and can be topped with the vinaigrette before eating.
Healthy- For me, this quinoa bowl has the perfect balance of protein, healthy fat and fibrous carbohydrates. I love a recipe with a variety of textures and colors, ensuring I’m maximizing different nutrients in my diet.
Ingredients for Chicken and Quinoa Bowl:
Avocado and olive oil- Helps brown the chicken while cooking and keeps it from sticking to the pan. I like adding oil to the chicken instead of the pan since it helps the seasoning stick better. I prefer cooking with avocado oil since it can handle a higher heat and using olive oil for dressings because it’s full of antioxidants and other benefits.
Chicken breast- Chicken breast is main protein source in this Chicken and Veggie Quinoa Bowl. However, you could use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat, rotisserie chicken or slow cooker chicken for convenience. You could also easily substitute chicken for tofu to keep this dish vegan/vegetarian without sacrificing flavor or protein.
Broccoli- Broccoli is very nutrients dense and full of benefits. My favorite part is the stem which is packed with fiber and I find it slightly sweeter than the florets. Raw broccoli lasts in refrigerator for about a week. So I like that I can buy groceries once a week and make this chicken quinoa bowl days later. Cauliflower would also be a great substitute for broccoli.
Shredded cabbage mix- Cabbage, another very nutrient dense vegetable loaded with fiber and antioxidants. You can absolutely shred your own cabbage and carrots. However, it’s convenient having this mix on hand because it lasts about a week in the refrigerator and can be added to so many recipes. This is one of my favorite convenience items!
Quinoa- Quinoa is considered a superfood by many because it’s a complete protein containing all nine amino acids. Cooked quinoa saves well in the refrigerator for days and can be thrown into salads to bulk them up. Just be sure to rinse the quinoa really well before cooking to remove any bitter residue.
Dijon Vinaigrette- This vinaigrette is so simple to make by throwing all the ingredients in a jar and giving it a good shake. Dijon mustard add such a nice tangy flavor and helps to emulsify the vinaigrette. I also love the taste of apple cider vinegar which I find slightly sweeter than other vinegars. Although you could use whatever vinegar you have on hand.
Looking for more dinner ideas?
Check out more main dish recipes here.

Chicken Quinoa Bowl with Dijon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Vegetables
- 2 tsp avocado oil
- 1 bunch broccoli
- 1 bag shredded cabbage mix, or 1/2 head cabbage, shredded
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup quinoa
Mustard Vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cut or break broccoli florets into bite-size pieces. Utilize the broccoli stem by trimming and discarding the tough outer layer by slicing about 1/8 inch from the perimeter. Then, cut the remaining light green stem into bite-sized pieces. Place broccoli onto a baking tray or in a large oven-safe dish.
- Add the shredded cabbage to the broccoli dish and season with oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder and mix well. Roast in the oven until cooked, about 15-20 minutes.
- Dry chicken with a paper towel (this encourages browning when sautéed.) Cube chicken in bite-size pieces and place in a bowl. Season chicken cubes with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Rinse quinoa well until water runs clear. Then cook according to package instructions.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken in a single layer making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Then flip chicken to brown the other side, another 3-4 minutes.
- While the chicken, quinoa and vegetables are cooking, add vinaigrette ingredients to a jar and shake well to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Once all ingredients are cooked, quinoa to a bowl, add the vegetables and chicken and top with a little vinaigrette on top.


Leave a Reply