Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Sunshine Quinoa Salad

Need summer dinner ideas? This Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Quinoa Salad is bright, fresh, and easy! Ditch the beige buffet for Algarve vibes! Get the recipe now.

May 27, 2025
By Ethan Navarro.

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Recipe Introduction: Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Sunshine Quinoa Salad

Fancy some summer dinner ideas ? seriously, who doesn't love a good barbie when the sun's shining? and this lemon herb grilled chicken with sunshine quinoa salad? oh my gosh, it's a total winner.

The juicy chicken and that zesty quinoa salad are like a party in your mouth. think sunshine on a plate, honestly!

A Taste of the Mediterranean (in Your Garden!)

This recipe takes inspiration from those easy warm weather dinners you dream about on holiday. it's not just food; it's a vibe, innit? easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

You'll be transported straight to the mediterranean – well, almost! it's super simple, even i can manage it. takes about an hour, and feeds four hungry bellies.

It's great for easy shareable dishes at a garden party!

Why You'll Love This Dish

One of the best things about this easy summer dinner recipe is that it’s healthy! packed with protein, vitamins, and all sorts of good stuff.

It's perfect for a light lunch, a lazy summer dinner , or even as part of a bigger spread. and what makes it truly special? the vibrant flavors.

Lemon, herbs, and fresh veggies... yum!

Right then, let's have a gander at what we need, shall we?

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this lemon herb grilled chicken with sunshine quinoa salad . it's all about fresh flavours, so quality ingredients are key.

I remember one time, using dodgy supermarket lemons... disaster! never again.

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Sunshine Quinoa Salad Recipe Card

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Preparation time:50 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170g each)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (190g) quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups (475ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup (75g) cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup (35g) red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup (40g) crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup (30g) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

• Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Place chicken in a zip-top bag or dish and pour marinade over it. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours).
• Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Combine quinoa and broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork.
• While quinoa is cooking, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese (if using), olives, and parsley in a large bowl.
• Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
• Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (discard the marinade). Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Add cooked quinoa to the vegetable mixture. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
• Place grilled chicken on top of the quinoa salad and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450 calories

Fat:20g

Fiber:30g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Mediterranean

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients

First, the chicken. you'll want 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170g each). look for chicken that's plump and pink, not pale or slimy.

Trust me, it makes a difference. then, grab 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil, and 1/4 cup (60ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Zest one of those lemons, too! you'll need 2 minced garlic cloves. fresh herbs are a must – about 2 tablespoons , chopped.

Rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano... a mix is belissimo. season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

For the salad, grab 1 cup (190g) quinoa. rinse it really well. this is important. you will need 2 cups (475ml) chicken or vegetable broth.

Get 1/2 cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved, 1/2 cup (75g) diced cucumber, 1/4 cup (35g) finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup (40g) crumbled feta (optional), and 1/4 cup (30g) kalamata olives, pitted and halved.

Finish it off with 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped parsley. for the dressing, mix 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.

Seasoning Notes

Okay, here's the magic. the lemon, garlic, and herb combo is the heart of this dish. for a flavor enhancer, try a pinch of dried oregano.

It really brightens things up. out of fresh herbs? you can sub with dried – about 1 teaspoon of each.

For a bit of a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. you know, give it a bit of oomph.

Honestly, for this recipe, quality ingredients are a must! Think about this as one of the easy summer dinner ideas that you can prepare at home.

Equipment Needed

Keep it simple! you'll need a grill (gas or charcoal) or a grill pan. a medium saucepan for the quinoa.

A whisk for the vinaigrette. some mixing bowls. and a zester for that lemon. a meat thermometer is recommended for the chicken.

That's all she wrote.

If you don't have a grill pan, a cast iron skillet works wonders too. this really lends itself to easy shareable dishes if you are hosting.

So there you have it, a complete list to get your sunshine dinner going. think of this meal as one of the easy warm weather dinners on your vacation.

Just remember, prep well and enjoy the process. happy cooking!

Alright, let's dive into this fantastic summer dinner ideas adventure! honestly, nothing beats a good grill-up when the sun's shining.

I’m thinking we’re gonna make something that’s not just tasty, but also shouts "sunshine" from every bite. here's a killer recipe plan!

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Sunshine Quinoa Salad

This, my friend, is no ordinary summer easy dinner ideas . we're talking juicy, flavour-packed chicken sitting on a bed of fluffy quinoa, bursting with fresh veggies and a zesty dressing.

Think of it as a med holiday on a plate. this is perfect for lazy days and easy vacation dinner ideas .

Prep Steps: Mise en Place Magic

First, the mise en place , darling. chop your 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano – a blend's the way to go!), mince those 2 cloves garlic , and zest a lemon.

For the salad, get those 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1/2 cup cucumber diced, and 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped.

Seriously, have everything ready to go before you fire up the grill. it saves so much time. this makes sharing easy shareable dishes simpler.

Step-by-Step: Grillin' Goodness

1. Marinate the chicken: Whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil , 1/4 cup lemon juice , garlic, herbs, zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt , and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper . Pop the 4 chicken breasts into a bag or dish and slather them in that lemony goodness. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes .
2. Cook the Quinoa: Rinse 1 cup quinoa . Combine with 2 cups broth in a pan. Boil, then simmer for 15 minutes . Fluff it, baby.
3. Salad Prep: Toss 1/2 cup tomatoes, 1/2 cup cucumber, 1/4 cup red onion, 1/4 cup feta (if using), 1/4 cup olives , and 2 tablespoons parsley in a bowl. Boom .
4. Vinaigrette: Whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper .
5. Grill Time: Preheat your grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 6- 8 minutes per side, till it hits 165° F ( 74° C) internally. Seriously, use a thermometer.
6. Assemble: Toss quinoa with the salad, drizzle with vinaigrette.
7. Serve: Pop that gorgeous chicken on top. Ta-da!

Pro Tips: Chef Secrets Revealed

• Don't skip the resting time! Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This is a great Lazy Summer Dinners trick!
• Rinse the quinoa like your life depends on it. Bitter quinoa is the worst .
• Avoid common mistake, of Overcooking is the enemy.
• Feel free to prepare the salad or marinade a day in advance to make it even easier!

Seriously, this delicious summer dinner recipes is simple, healthy, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for a dinner ideas for 10 people BBQ or a quiet night in for two as Easy Summer Dinner Recipes For Two

Right then, let's talk about how to really make this lemon herb grilled chicken with sunshine quinoa salad sing . this isn't just a recipe; it's a launchpad for your own culinary adventures! honestly, sometimes the best part of cooking is tweaking things until they’re just right for you.

Recipe Notes: Making it Your Own

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way. Feel free to ignore me, but trust me, these bits are gems.

Plating: Making it Look Delicious

Okay, presentation matters! especially when it comes to summer dinner ideas . think about colour. pile that vibrant quinoa salad high, and artfully arrange the grilled chicken on top.

A sprinkle of extra fresh herbs? chef's kiss! for a proper delicious summer dinner recipes , consider using a nice big platter – making it perfect for easy shareable dishes , you know, when you’ve got dinner ideas for 10 people or just a family gathering.

For a romantic easy summer dinner recipes for two , plate it beautifully on individual plates and maybe add a candle.

Storing Like a Pro

Leftovers? lucky you! the chicken will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. the quinoa salad is good for about 2 days, but it's best enjoyed fresh.

For the chicken, reheat it gently in the oven or microwave. freezing isn't ideal for the salad, as the cucumber can get a bit soggy, but the chicken freezes well.

Tweaks and Twists

Fancy a change? for a cold summer recipes twist, try adding some chopped watermelon or cantaloupe to the salad. honestly, it's amazing! need a lazy summer dinners hack? pre-cooked quinoa from the supermarket works a treat.

Or, if you are on your easy vacation dinner ideas , halloumi can stand in for the chicken for some vegetarian options.

Dietary wise, consider using maple syrup instead of honey to make it vegetarian .

The Good Stuff (Nutrition)

This recipe isn't just tasty; it's good for you! chicken is lean protein, quinoa is a complete protein and a good source of fibre, and all those veggies are packed with vitamins.

It’s a great balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats. perfect for those easy warm weather dinners where you want to feel light and energised.

So there you have it! a few extra bits to help you nail this summer easy dinner ideas recipe. don't be afraid to experiment, have fun, and most importantly, enjoy your meal! remember, cooking should be a joy, not a chore.

Now, get in that kitchen and work your magic!