Description
A flavorful and nutritious Mediterranean-inspired Easy Chicken Falafel Bowl featuring tender spiced chicken, warm falafel, fresh veggies, and a creamy hummus or tahini drizzle. Perfect for quick meal prep or a healthy, satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
For the falafel:
- 1 cup cooked falafel (homemade or frozen and baked according to package instructions) or mini falafel balls
For the bowls:
- 2 cups cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce or baby greens
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup hummus or tahini sauce (for drizzle)
- Fresh parsley or mint for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Add the chicken strips and toss well to coat all pieces evenly with the marinade. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice golden color. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare falafel: If using frozen or store-bought falafel, heat them according to the package directions until warmed through. If using homemade falafel, you can prepare a quick mix or reheat leftover falafel by shaping them into small patties or balls and cooking them in a pan or oven until crisp and warm.
- Assemble the bowls: Start by placing a base of your choice of cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa into bowls. Top the grains with the cooked chicken strips followed by warm falafel pieces. Add the fresh chopped cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce or baby greens, thinly sliced red onions, and feta cheese if using.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle the assembled bowls with hummus or tahini sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or mint leaves for a bright, fresh flavor. Serve immediately while warm, or at room temperature for a perfect ready-to-go meal.
Notes
- These bowls are ideal for meal prep—keep the sauce separate until ready to eat to maintain freshness.
- Swap the rice or grains for cauliflower rice to create a low-carb, gluten-free option.
- For extra Mediterranean flavor, add pickled red onions or olives as additional toppings.
- If using store-bought falafel, ensure it is gluten-free if adhering to a gluten-free diet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Assembly
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
