One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Quinoa and Veggies

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large deep skillet or sauté pan. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried oregano.
2. Add chicken thighs to the pan and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add rinsed quinoa to the pan, stirring to coat it well with onion and garlic. Pour in chicken broth and lemon zest, then return chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them on top of the quinoa mixture.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. After 15 minutes, add diced zucchini and red bell pepper on top (do not stir). Recover and continue cooking for another 8 minutes until quinoa is tender and chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
7. Remove from heat, gently stir in baby spinach and lemon juice, and cover for 2 minutes to wilt the spinach.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Chef tips

• Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove its natural bitterness before cooking.
• If you prefer white meat, chicken breasts can be used but reduce simmering time to prevent dryness.
• For an extra creamy texture, stir in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese after cooking (optional).
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
• To make it dairy-free, skip Parmesan and ensure broth is dairy-free.