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Garlic Herb Chicken & Veggie Bowls


  • Author: Jenny

Ingredients

Scale

Here is a detailed breakdown of the simple, whole-food ingredients you’ll need to create these vibrant and flavorful bowls. Each component is chosen for its specific contribution to the overall taste, texture, and nutritional profile of the dish.

  • For the Garlic Herb Chicken:
    • 2 lbs (about 900g) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean protein base of our bowl. Cut into 1-inch cubes, they cook quickly and evenly, soaking up all the delicious marinade. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor and more moisture.
    • ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is the heart of the marinade. It helps to transfer the fat-soluble flavors of the herbs and garlic into the chicken, promotes browning in the oven, and ensures the chicken stays moist.
    • 68 Cloves Garlic, Minced: The star flavor of the dish. Using fresh garlic provides a pungent, aromatic, and slightly sweet flavor that garlic powder simply can’t replicate. Don’t be shy with the amount!
    • 1 tbsp Dried Oregano: Adds a robust, peppery, and slightly bitter note that is a classic pairing with chicken and Mediterranean flavors.
    • 1 tbsp Dried Rosemary, lightly crushed: Its pine-like, woody aroma infuses the chicken and vegetables with a deep, rustic flavor. Crushing it slightly between your fingers before adding helps release its essential oils.
    • 1 tsp Dried Thyme: Contributes a subtle, earthy, and slightly minty flavor that complements the other herbs beautifully.
    • 1 tsp Sea Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken from the inside out and enhancing all the other flavors in the marinade.
    • ½ tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground: Provides a touch of pungent heat that balances the richness of the olive oil and the savory herbs.
  • For the Roasted Vegetables:
    • 2 large heads of Broccoli, cut into florets: These “little trees” become wonderfully tender with crispy, browned edges when roasted. They add a great texture, vibrant green color, and a wealth of nutrients.
    • 2 large Bell Peppers (any color), seeded and chopped: We recommend using a mix of red, yellow, or orange for a visually stunning dish. They become sweet and tender when roasted, adding a juicy element to the bowls.
    • 1 large Red Onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces: When roasted, red onion loses its sharp bite and transforms into something sweet, jammy, and incredibly flavorful, perfectly complementing the savory chicken.
  • For Serving and Garnish:
    • 1 large Lemon: Used for both its zest and juice. The zest can be added to the marinade for an extra layer of bright flavor, and a squeeze of fresh juice over the finished dish cuts through the richness and brightens everything up.
    • ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped: A final sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a burst of fresh, clean flavor and a pop of color that makes the dish feel complete.

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions for a foolproof method to achieve perfectly juicy chicken and tender-crisp roasted vegetables every time. The key is in the preparation and the roasting technique.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
First things first, position your oven racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is crucial for getting a good roast on the vegetables and a nice sear on the chicken, rather than just steaming them. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed chicken with the ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper. Use a spoon or your hands to toss everything together until each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the herb and garlic mixture. Set the bowl aside to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes at room temperature. This brief period allows the flavors to begin penetrating the meat. If you have more time, you can cover it and let it marinate in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours for even deeper flavor.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
While the chicken is marinating, place all the chopped vegetables—broccoli florets, bell peppers, and red onion—into another large bowl (or you can do this directly on one of the prepared baking sheets). Drizzle them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss well until every vegetable is lightly coated in oil.

Step 4: Arrange on Baking Sheets
This is the most critical step for achieving perfectly roasted results. Spread the prepared vegetables in a single, even layer on one of the baking sheets. Then, arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single, even layer on the second baking sheet. It is vital not to overcrowd the pans. Crowding the ingredients will cause them to steam instead of roast, resulting in soggy vegetables and pale chicken. Using two separate sheets ensures that there is enough space for the hot air to circulate around each piece, promoting browning and caramelization.

Step 5: Roast to Perfection
Place both baking sheets in the preheated oven. Place the vegetables on the upper-middle rack and the chicken on the lower-middle rack. Roast for 20-25 minutes. About halfway through the cooking time (around the 12-minute mark), remove the pans from the oven, toss the vegetables, and flip the chicken pieces over. This ensures even cooking and browning on all sides.

Step 6: Check for Doneness
The meal is ready when the vegetables are tender-crisp and have nicely browned, caramelized edges. The chicken should be cooked through, opaque, and juicy. The most reliable way to check the chicken is with a meat thermometer; it should register an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point.

Step 7: Final Touches and Assembly
Once cooked, remove both pans from the oven. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the hot chicken and the other half over the roasted vegetables. This immediate hit of acidity brightens all the flavors. Sprinkle both the chicken and vegetables with the chopped fresh parsley. To assemble the bowls, start with your desired base (like quinoa or brown rice), then top with a generous portion of the garlic herb chicken and roasted vegetables.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 500
  • Fat: 25g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 40g