Lazy Girl Southwest Chicken Quinoa Bowl: High-Protein, Low-Effort

Easy, Nutritious, and Time-Saving

As part of my Lazy Girl High Protein Recipes series, we’re serving a chicken quinoa bowl filled with fresh vegetables, beans, herbs, and, of course, chicken and quinoa.

These “lazy girl” recipes include tips for making home cooking easier. Today’s recipe can be scaled for any number of people, but it’s my go-to lunch for one. The less chopping involved, the more time saved — and the more likely I am to prepare this nutritious meal instead of ordering something less healthy from Grub Hub.

Pin

Pin

Prep Ahead for Your “Future Self”

While I aim to meal prep on Sundays, it rarely happens consistently. Instead, I think ahead when cooking to help out my “future self.” For instance:

• Cook in bulk: When making quinoa, I cook the entire package. This ensures I have ready-to-use quinoa in the refrigerator all week. An extra tip: cook it in bone broth for higher protein amounts. This way, it’s on hand for my Lazy Girl Black Bean Soup to make on the fly!
• Prep extra vegetables: When slicing bell peppers, I slice the entire pepper even if I only need half. Sometimes, I’ll prep two or three peppers at once.
• Preserve herbs properly: For cilantro, I wash the entire bundle within 24 hours of purchase. After shaking off excess water, I lay out about four feet of paper towels and spread the cilantro across them, separating the stems. Then I roll up the paper towels with the cilantro inside, place it all in a zip-top bag with a small opening for air circulation, and refrigerate. This keeps cilantro fresh for up to several weeks, saving time, money, and frustration!
• Cook extra protein: When preparing chicken, I cook all the chicken, not just what I need for one meal. Your future rushed self will be grateful!

These small time-saving habits add up significantly over time.

Pin

High Protein Southwestern Quinoa Bowl

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 1 serving

Calories 618 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/4 cup quinoa
• 6 oz chicken
• 1/2 cup black beans, canned
• 1/4 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 avocado, diced
• 2 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp olive oil
• juice of one lime
• hot sauce to taste (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish or more as you like

Instructions

 

• Cook the quinoa according to the directions. SB Tip: for added protein, cook with chicken bone broth
• If chicken is not already cooked, cook with a little salt and pepper on a grill or in a skillet with 1 tsp oil.
• Chop up your vegetables and open your can of black beans, measuring everything to prepare it for your meal.
• Mix yogurt, lime juice, salt, pepper, and, if desired, some hot sauce, together in a bowl using a fork or small whisk to combine.
• Add all ingredients to a bowl. I find a pasta bowl is best, as these are shallower. Then, pour the yogurt dressing on top.
• Add more salt and pepper, or extra cilantro if you'd like, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 618kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 36gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 621mgPotassium: 1078mgFiber: 13gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1930IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 4mg

Tried this recipe?Rate it above to let us know how it was!

**********

Keep up with all our Lazy Girl protein-focused recipes right here.