Mediterranean Chicken Power Bowls: 5 Easy Ideas for Meal Prep Lunches

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. 1

   Season and cook the chicken

   Toss cubed chicken thighs with olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Let cool completely—this is crucial for food safety.

2. 2

   Prep your base grains

   Cook quinoa or brown rice according to package directions. I prefer quinoa because it doesn't get mushy after a few days in the fridge. Let it cool while you prep everything else.

3. 3

   Make the simple lemon dressing

   Whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. This dressing gets better as it sits, so don't skip this step.

   

4. 4

   Prep all the fresh components

   Dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion paper-thin (a mandoline helps here), and chop your herbs. Keep everything separate—you'll thank me later when assembling.

5. 5

   Assembly time

   Divide quinoa between 5 meal prep containers. Top each with chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and feta. Pack herbs and dressing separately in small containers to add fresh when you're ready to eat.

Substitution Ideas

Storage Tips

These bowls keep beautifully for 4-5 days in the fridge. Store dressing and fresh herbs separately to prevent everything from getting soggy. Pro tip: add a paper towel to containers with fresh veggies to absorb excess moisture. Don't freeze these—the cucumber and tomatoes won't thank you.