Go Back
Four Mediterranean chicken bowls with harissa chicken, quinoa, tzatziki, and Greek salad on a wood table

Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

Juicy harissa-honey chicken served over fluffy quinoa with homemade tzatziki, fresh Greek salad, and crumbled feta. A healthy, high-protein bowl ready in under an hour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 565

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cup full-fat Greek yogurt do not substitute low-fat
  • 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed completely dry for tzatziki — wring out in a kitchen towel twice if needed
  • 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for tzatziki
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
  • 1.5 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped dried works in a pinch
  • 2 tsp salt for tzatziki
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper for tzatziki
  • 1.33 cup quinoa, rinsed rinse twice under cold water
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces; thighs recommended
  • 2 tbsp harissa paste smoky Tunisian-style preferred; taste for heat level
  • 2.5 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp salt for chicken
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper for chicken
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking chicken
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 cucumber, diced into 1/2-inch pieces for salad
  • 0.33 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 12 fresh mint leaves, chopped optional garnish
  • 0.33 cup feta cheese, crumbled optional garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or cast-iron pan
  • Medium saucepan with lid
  • Mixing bowls
  • Box grater or microplane
  • Instant read meat thermometer
  • Clean kitchen towel for squeezing cucumber

Method
 

  1. Make the tzatziki: Grate one cucumber and wring it out completely in a clean kitchen towel — do this twice if needed to remove all moisture. Combine with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and refrigerate until serving.
  2. Make the Greek salad: Toss cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and red onion with red wine vinegar and a pinch of salt. Leave on the counter to marinate while you cook the remaining components.
  3. Cook the quinoa: Combine rinsed quinoa with 2 1/2 cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes without stirring or lifting the lid. Remove from heat and steam covered for 5 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  4. Marinate the chicken: Toss chicken pieces with harissa paste, honey, salt, and black pepper until fully coated. Let sit for at least 5 minutes at room temperature.
  5. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer without crowding — cook in two batches if needed. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F. Overcrowding the pan causes steaming instead of searing and you will lose the caramelized crust.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Divide quinoa evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with harissa chicken and a generous portion of Greek salad. Spoon tzatziki over the top or serve on the side.
  7. Garnish and serve: Finish each bowl with chopped fresh mint and crumbled feta. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil if desired. Serve immediately while the chicken and quinoa are still warm.

Notes

Tzatziki tastes even better made the night before — the garlic and dill deepen significantly. Always squeeze grated cucumber completely dry or the sauce will be watery. Do not stir quinoa during cooking or it turns gummy. Cook chicken to 165 F and never overcrowd the pan or you lose the golden caramelized crust. Store each component separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Quinoa also freezes well in individual portions. Tzatziki and Greek salad should be made fresh and not frozen.