Paprika Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

A vibrant bowl with roasted vegetables, fluffy quinoa, golden chicken, fresh lemon salad, and creamy avocado.

# Ingredient list:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
04 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Quinoa

10 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
11 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water
12 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Chicken

13 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
17 - ½ teaspoon salt
18 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Lemon Salad

19 - 4 cups mixed salad greens such as arugula, spinach, or romaine
20 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
21 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
22 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
23 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Bowl Finish

24 - 2 ripe avocados, sliced
25 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How-to:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and carrots with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
04 - While vegetables roast, combine quinoa, broth or water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
05 - Pat chicken breasts dry. Rub with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
06 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
07 - In a salad bowl, toss greens and cucumber with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
08 - Create individual bowls by starting with a base of quinoa, adding roasted vegetables, sliced chicken, a handful of lemon salad, and avocado slices. Garnish with parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just under an hour, which means you're not still cooking at 9 PM.
  • The paprika hits different when the vegetables caramelize, adding this depth you don't expect from something this simple.
  • You can prep components separately and assemble however you're feeling that day, which is honestly the dream for meal prep.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your quinoa or it will taste bitter and dusty, which ruins everything about this bowl.
  • Slice your chicken while it's still warm but after it rests, because this is when it stays most tender and doesn't tear apart.
  • The lemon salad needs to go on warm vegetables so the acidity blooms without the greens completely collapsing.
03 -
  • Keep your oven temperature accurate because 425°F is the sweet spot between caramelizing and actually cooking the vegetables through.
  • If your chicken is thicker than an inch, gently pound it to even thickness so it cooks at the same rate throughout.
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