Healthy Grilled Mediterranean Bowl (Printable)

Charred vegetables and grilled chicken or halloumi over fluffy quinoa, topped with creamy tzatziki, olives, and feta for a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.

# What You 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 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 Steps:

01 - Squeeze excess moisture from grated cucumber using paper towels. Combine yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, 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.
03 - Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, 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 pan 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 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 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 among four bowls. Top each with sliced chicken or halloumi, grilled vegetables, diced cucumber, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
08 - Drizzle each bowl with extra-virgin olive oil and a generous scoop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Every bite delivers crunch, creaminess, and smoky sweetness in one forkful, so you never get bored halfway through.
  • You can prep the marinade and tzatziki the night before, then just fire up the grill when hunger strikes.
  • Swap chicken for halloumi or tofu and everyone at the table stays happy, no separate meals required.
02 -
  • If you skip squeezing the cucumber for the tzatziki, you'll end up with a runny puddle instead of a thick, creamy sauce that clings to every bite.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling or all the juices will spill onto your cutting board instead of staying inside the meat where they belong.
  • Pat the chickpeas completely dry before marinating—wet chickpeas steam instead of crisp, and you'll miss out on that addictive crunch.
03 -
  • Grill your vegetables in batches rather than all at once so they char instead of steam, and you'll get that deep, caramelized sweetness in every bite.
  • Make double the tzatziki—you'll want extra for drizzling, dipping, and sneaking spoonfuls while you cook.
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