Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Print Version)

Grilled vegetables and protein over quinoa with tzatziki, olives, and feta create this vibrant Mediterranean bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Protein & Main

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds) or 16 oz halloumi, sliced into 0.5-inch pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
08 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Grains

09 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

11 - 1 medium zucchini, cut into 0.5-inch rounds
12 - 1 red bell pepper, cored and quartered
13 - 1 small eggplant, cut into 0.5-inch rounds
14 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, whole
15 - 0.5 red onion, cut into eight wedges
16 - 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
17 - 1 medium cucumber, diced

→ Toppings

18 - 0.25 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
19 - 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Tzatziki Sauce

21 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
22 - 0.5 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
23 - 1 clove garlic, minced
24 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
25 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried dill
26 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
27 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Squeeze excess moisture from grated cucumber using paper towels. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate while preparing remaining components.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken or halloumi and toss to coat evenly. Transfer half the marinade to a separate bowl and add zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chickpeas. Toss to coat. Cover both bowls and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or surface to prevent sticking.
05 - Place marinated chicken or halloumi on the grill. Grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F. Grill halloumi 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden grill marks appear. Remove and rest for 5 minutes, then slice chicken if using.
06 - Using a grill basket or directly on the grates, cook marinated zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chickpeas for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender-crisp with charred spots.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa equally among four serving bowls. Top each with sliced chicken or halloumi, grilled vegetables, diced fresh cucumber, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
08 - Drizzle each bowl with extra-virgin olive oil and a generous portion of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an optional squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and grilled in one go, leaving you free to relax while dinner comes together.
  • The contrast between warm grilled vegetables and cool tzatziki makes each bite feel alive and interesting.
  • You can swap chicken for halloumi or tofu without changing a single other step.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, soaking up all that lemony marinade overnight.
02 -
  • Squeeze the grated cucumber for tzatziki until it feels almost dry, or your sauce will be watery and sad.
  • Don't crowd the grill, vegetables need space to char instead of steam.
  • Let chicken rest after grilling so the juices redistribute, slicing it too soon makes it dry.
  • Marinate overnight if you have time, the flavors deepen and everything tastes more intentional.
03 -
  • Oil your grill grates right before adding the protein and vegetables to prevent sticking and tearing.
  • Use a grill basket for the smaller vegetables and chickpeas so nothing falls through the grates.
  • Make a double batch of tzatziki, it keeps for five days and tastes good on just about everything.
  • If you don't have a grill, a cast iron skillet on high heat works beautifully for the same charred effect.
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