Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Printable)

Grilled vegetables and chicken over quinoa with tzatziki, olives, and feta

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Main

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds) or 16 ounces 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 8 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 Steps:

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 until ready to serve.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add chicken or halloumi and toss to coat. Transfer half the marinade to a separate bowl and add zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas. Toss to coat evenly. 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. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
04 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan 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 internal temperature reaching 165°F, or 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 zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, and chickpeas for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender-crisp with charred spots.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with sliced chicken or halloumi, grilled vegetables, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
08 - Drizzle each bowl generously with extra-virgin olive oil and a scoop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything gets marinated together, so the flavors are deep and cohesive without any extra fuss.
  • You can swap chicken for halloumi or tofu and it still feels hearty and satisfying.
  • The tzatziki cools down the smoky char and ties the whole bowl together like a secret weapon.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day when the quinoa soaks up all the juices.
02 -
  • If you skip squeezing the cucumber for the tzatziki, you will end up with a watery mess that slides off everything.
  • Don't move the vegetables around too much on the grill—let them sit and char, or they'll steam instead of getting those crispy, smoky edges.
  • Resting the chicken after grilling keeps it juicy; cutting into it right away lets all the moisture run out onto the cutting board.
03 -
  • Marinate everything overnight for deeper flavor—the chicken or halloumi will taste like it came from a restaurant.
  • Use a grill basket for the vegetables and chickpeas so nothing falls through the grates, and you can toss them easily for even charring.
  • Don't skimp on the tzatziki; it's what makes the bowl feel cohesive and luxurious, not just a pile of ingredients.
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