Lemon Vinaigrette Grilled Chicken (Printable)

Grilled chicken paired with fresh veggies and zesty lemon dressing for a nutritious, vibrant bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

01 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
04 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
05 - 1 garlic clove, minced
06 - 1/2 teaspoon honey
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Grilled Chicken

09 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1.5 lbs
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetable Bowl Base

15 - 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
18 - 1 cup bell pepper, sliced
19 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
20 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
21 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How-To:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - Combine olive oil, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place chicken on grill and cook 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
04 - While chicken is grilling, prepare quinoa or rice according to package instructions if not already prepared.
05 - Divide cooked quinoa or rice among 4 serving bowls. Layer spinach or greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion on top of each grain base.
06 - Place sliced grilled chicken on each bowl and drizzle generously with prepared lemon vinaigrette.
07 - Sprinkle feta cheese and fresh parsley over each bowl. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and fresh at the same time, which honestly feels like winning the dinner lottery.
  • Everything comes together in 40 minutes, and most of that time the grill does the work for you.
  • The lemon vinaigrette is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on things for weeks afterward.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period on the chicken—I learned this the hard way when I sliced it immediately and watched the juices run onto the plate instead of staying in the meat.
  • The vinaigrette gets thicker as it sits, so if you're making it ahead, thin it with a teaspoon of water just before serving.
03 -
  • If your chicken breasts are thick or uneven, gently pound them to about three-quarter-inch thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
  • The lemon vinaigrette is also spectacular on roasted vegetables or drizzled over grilled fish, so make extra.
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