
Vibe: Light, bright, summer on a plate
Feeds: 4-6 servings
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Zest + juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)
For the Summer Veggie Quinoa:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: crumbled feta or goat cheese for topping
🔥 Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken
- Preheat your sous vide bath to 145°F (for juicy and tender) or 150°F (for a firmer texture).
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice/zest, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Place chicken breasts in a vacuum-seal or zipper bag, pour in marinade, and seal.
- Sous vide for 1.5 to 2 hours.
2. Sear for Flavor
- When done, remove from bag and pat dry.
- Heat a cast-iron pan or grill pan over high heat.
- Sear chicken for 1–2 minutes per side for that golden finish.
3. Make the Quinoa
- While the chicken cooks, rinse quinoa and add to a saucepan with broth.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until fluffy (about 15 minutes).
- Meanwhile, sauté zucchini and red bell pepper in olive oil until just tender.
- Toss cooked quinoa with veggies, tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve It Up
- Slice chicken and serve over quinoa.
- Top with crumbled feta or goat cheese if desired.
- Add extra lemon zest or juice for brightness.
🍽️ Why It Works for Summer:
- Light but filling
- Packed with fresh herbs and veggies
- Great for meal prep or dinner al fresco
- Chicken is juicy every single time (thank you, sous vide magic)