High-protein chicken fajita bowl with quinoa

High-protein chicken fajita bowl with quinoa: juicy chicken, quinoa, peppers, avocado and lime in a spicy bowl for a well-balanced lunch or dinner.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• Cooking time: 20 min
• Total time: 35 min
• Calories: 520 kcal per serving
• Protein: 45 g
• Fat: 16 g
• Carbs: 48 g

Ingredients

• 200g chicken breast fillet
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 red onion
• 60g uncooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red pepper
• 1 yellow pepper
• Chilli flakes
• Fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime juice
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp oregano

Method

You’ll need: frying pan · saucepan · chopping board · knife · mixing bowl

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and cook it in water according to the packet instructions until fluffy and soft. Then let the steam escape briefly.
2. Cut the chicken breast fillet into strips and season with the sweet paprika, cumin, oregano, chilli flakes and a little olive oil. Leave to marinate briefly.
3. Cut the red onion and the red and yellow peppers into strips. Slice the avocado and roughly chop the coriander.
4. Heat a frying pan and fry the chicken until golden brown all over and cooked through. Take it out of the pan and set aside briefly.
5. Fry the onion and peppers in the same pan until softened but still with a little bite. Return the chicken to the pan and season with lime juice.
6. Put the quinoa in a bowl, top with the chicken fajita mix and serve with avocado and fresh coriander.

Good to know

This bowl is spicy, fresh and pleasantly satisfying. It takes little effort but tastes like proper food. That's exactly what I like about everyday dishes like this.

Swaps

Quinoa → cauliflower rice (fewer carbs, light and with more veg) Chicken breast fillet → turkey breast fillet (similar protein content, slightly milder in flavour) Avocado → hummus (creamy, goes well with chicken and quinoa) Olive oil → ghee (stable at high heat and stronger flavour)

Allergens

The listed ingredients contain no gluten, but it's still worth checking quinoa for possible traces; for children, use fewer chilli flakes, and during pregnancy always cook chicken right through.

Frequently asked questions

What's in quinoa nutritionally?

Quinoa provides complex carbohydrates, fibre and some protein, plus minerals such as magnesium, iron and manganese.

Why are peppers more than just colour in a bowl like this?

Red and yellow peppers contain lots of vitamin C as well as carotenoids. The exact amount varies with ripeness and variety.

What does avocado bring to the bowl?

Avocado mainly provides monounsaturated fats, as well as potassium, folate and fibre. That makes it a creamy rather than heavy addition to the bowl.

Do onion and chilli flakes always agree with sensitive people?

Not necessarily. Onions contain FODMAPs and can cause bloating if your gut is sensitive, and people react very differently to the heat of chilli flakes.

What does coriander add to the bowl?

Coriander provides small amounts of vitamin K and plant compounds. Above all, it adds a fresh, citrusy note that goes well with the lime.

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