Name: Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Bowls with Zesty Lemon-Herb Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: For the Zesty Chicken:; 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; For the Flavorful Bowl Base:; 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved; 1/2 English cucumber, diced; 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese; 4 cups mixed greens or baby spinach; For the Bright Lemon-Herb Dressing:; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon); 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley; 1 tbsp fresh chopped dill; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional); Salt and pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces very dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 2 tbsp olive oil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
2
Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside.
3
Make the Dressing: While the chicken cooks, whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, chopped parsley, chopped dill, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and honey (if using). Season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
4
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the mixed greens or spinach among four serving bowls. Arrange the cooked chicken, rinsed chickpeas, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion over the greens.
5
Serve: Drizzle the lemon-herb dressing generously over each bowl. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.

💡 Notes

For meal prep, store dressing separately and add just before serving to keep greens crisp. Leftovers (undressed) store well for 3-4 days in the fridge. Feel free to swap chicken for shrimp or add extra chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Bowls with Zesty Lemon-Herb Dressing