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Lentil Quinoa Bowl with Lemon Vinaigrette

Mediterranean quinoa bowl with roasted chickpeas, spinach, olives, feta, lemon dressing & tzatziki. Perfect for meal prep!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 579

Ingredients
  

Quinoa
  • cup dry quinoa
  • 1 ⅓ cup water
Chickpeas
  • 1 15 oz can chickpeas drained, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
Bowl
  • 4 cups baby spinach or arugula loosely packed
  • 1 cup cucumber chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
  • ½ cup red onion chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
  • ¼ cup kalamata olives
  • Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Hummus for serving
  • Tzatziki Sauce for drizzling
  • Fresh parsley for serving

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Rinse and drain quinoa, if desired. Add quinoa and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Add the chickpeas to a mixing bowl with oil and seasonings. Use your hands to coat the chickpeas well. Pour chickpeas onto a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes flipping halfway. Once cooked, set aside to cool.
  4. If you haven't already, make the dressing and set aside.
  5. To make the bowls, add about ½ cup cooked quinoa, 1 cup greens, ¼ cup cucumber, ¼ cup tomatoes, 2 Tablespoons onion, 2 Tablespoons feta cheese, 1 Tablespoon kalamata olives and scoop of hummus to 4 bowls. Divide chickpeas evenly and add to bowls then drizzle with tzatziki and dressing. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 579kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 18gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 1153mgFiber: 10gSugar: 6g

Notes

Quinoa Texture: Rinsing the quinoa is a step I never skip anymore because it removes the natural coating that can make it taste bitter.
I just run it under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer for about 30 seconds before cooking.
Chickpea Crunch: For the crispiest chickpeas, I pat them dry with a paper towel after draining the can before adding the oil and spices.
Moisture is the enemy of that satisfying crunch.
Make Ahead Magic: I often cook the quinoa and roast the chickpeas a day in advance, then store them separately in the fridge.
When I’m ready to eat, I just assemble the bowls cold or give the quinoa a quick reheat in the microwave.
Serving Variation: If I want to switch things up, I swap the baby spinach for arugula when I’m craving a peppery kick.
It pairs beautifully with the lemon vinaigrette and feta.
Storage Tip: Leftover assembled bowls don’t hold up well because the greens get soggy.
Instead, I store each component in separate containers and build fresh bowls for up to three days.
Common Mistake: Don’t overdress the bowl before serving.
I start with a light drizzle of vinaigrette and tzatziki, then let everyone add more at the table.
It keeps the textures distinct and fresh.
Equipment Alternative: No baking sheet for the chickpeas? I’ve used a cast iron skillet in a pinch and they turned out just as crispy.
Just spread them in a single layer and watch them closely so they don’t burn.

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