These Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls are full of flavor and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Pesto-marinated chicken with buttery quinoa and roasted veggies are the perfect match!
Hi friend!
Continuing with our quinoa series, today I’m sharing these Pesto Chicken Quinoa bowls. They are perfect for food prep because you can prep all the components ahead of time and throw them together for a quick bowl for lunch or dinner.
Plus they’re easy to customize with your favorite veggies!
Healthy Chicken Quinoa Dinner Recipes
In case you’ve missed any of the other quinoa recipes, you can check them out here:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Broccoli Chicken Quinoa Casserole
- Salmon Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa Risotto
- Easy Sheet Pan Shimp Quinoa Bowl
- Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta
- Tuna Quinoa Cakes
How To Make Meal Prep Chicken Quinoa Bowls
To make or meal prep these Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls, you can tackle them in three parts:
For the chicken:
- Make a simple marinade of pesto (I use store-bought but homemade is also fine), red wine vinegar, garlic powder and salt.
- Cut the chicken into chunks and let it marinate up to 24 hours.
For the beans:
- Spray beans and tomatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast to desired doneness.
For the quinoa:
- Cook according to package directions. I always rinse mine first and cook in broth for extra flavor. Once it’s cooked, add butter and salt. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl Recipe
Here’s the recipe:
PrintPesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls
Print RecipeThese Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls are full of flavor and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Pesto-marinated chicken with buttery quinoa and roasted veggies are the perfect match!
- Yield: serves 4
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the beans:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- spray oil and salt
For the quinoa:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp butter
- salt to taste
- juice from half a lemon, optional
Instructions
- Cut the chicken in to 1-2 inch chunks and place in a Ziploc bag.
- Add pesto, red wine vinegar, garlic powder and salt.
- Seal and toss to coat. Marinate in the fridge for 2-24 hours.
- When ready to eat, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 degrees. Cook time will depend on the size of your pieces.
- To cook the green beans, place the beans and tomatoes on a baking sheet. Spray with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. Let sit covered for 10 minutes after removing from the heat. Stir in butter and season with salt and lemon juice to taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl FAQs
Can I use homemade pesto for the quinoa bowls? How can I make the pesto from scratch?
Yes. I use store-bought but you’re welcome to use homemade pesto. If you want to make your own, here’s a recipe for easy homemade pesto.
What are some vegetarian protein alternatives to chicken in this recipe?
To make these bowls vegetarian, you could try mixing white beans with the marinade mixture and then saute them on the stovetop before serving.
Can I substitute another grain for quinoa?
If quinoa isn’t available, you could make these bowls with rice, barley, farro, rice noodles or even cauliflower rice.
Is this pesto chicken quinoa bowl gluten-free?
Yes! If necessary, be sure to check your pesto to make sure it’s made with gluten-free ingredients.
How can I add more vegetables to this bowl?
You could easily add other roasted vegetables to this dish. Broccoli, sweet potato, asparagus or carrots would also be great options. You could even serve the whole thing over a bed of leafy greens or spinach.
What are some low-carb alternatives to quinoa?
You could try brown or wild rice. You could also try riced vegetables – cauliflower rice, broccoli rice or carrot rice could be used!
How long will these quinoa bowls last in the fridge?
The components for these bowls should be good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Gluten-Free Pesto Chicken Recipe
Easy Weeknight Quinoa Bowls
Looking for more easy dinner ideas? Try these:
- Healthy Quinoa Bowls – 6 Ways
- Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl
- 10 Quinoa Bowl Recipes
- Chickpea Quinoa Bowl
- Fresh Mexican Quinoa Bowl
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–