Thank you so much for being here! I can already tell you’re someone who loves bright, nourishing meals that don’t skip the flavor—and these Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls are exactly that. They’re packed with juicy grilled (or pan-seared!) chicken, fluffy rice or grains, crunchy veggies, and drizzled with a creamy lemon-dill yogurt sauce that pulls it all together like magic.
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What Are Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls?
These bowls bring the best of the Mediterranean to your table: tender chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, and dill, served over a bed of grains with crisp veggies and creamy, tangy yogurt sauce. They’re colorful, feel-good, and make healthy eating a total breeze (and not a bore!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally gluten-free and high in protein
- Bright, citrusy, herb-packed flavor
- Customizable with your fave veggies or grains
- Perfect for meal prep or dinner-for-four nights
- Fresh and feel-good without being fussy
What It Tastes Like
These bowls taste like a Greek island breeze. The chicken is juicy and lemony with just the right hit of garlic and dill, the veggies are crisp and colorful, and the sauce is creamy with a citrus tang. Every bite is light, balanced, and totally satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
The Bowls:
- 2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or farro
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: Kalamata olives, shredded romaine, avocado slices
The Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tsp honey or a pinch of garlic powder
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Grill pan or skillet
- Knife and cutting board
- Whisk
- Tongs or spatula
- Citrus juicer/zester (optional but helpful)
Optional Swaps & Additions
- Use tzatziki or hummus instead of yogurt sauce
- Swap rice for cauliflower rice or couscous
- Add grilled zucchini, eggplant, or roasted chickpeas
- Want a dairy-free version? Use a plant-based yogurt and skip the feta
- Turn it into a wrap with a warm pita!
How to Make Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine chicken with olive oil, lemon juice/zest, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Let marinate at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side (or until fully cooked and golden brown). Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside in the fridge.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
Add your grain of choice to each bowl. Top with sliced chicken, veggies, feta, and any extras. Drizzle generously with yogurt sauce and garnish with more fresh dill or lemon wedges if you’re feeling fancy.
What to Serve With It
- Warm pita or flatbread for scooping
- A crisp Greek salad or marinated olives
- Roasted potatoes or grilled halloumi
Want to build out a Mediterranean-inspired spread? Serve alongside:
- Vegetable Platter with Coconut Aminos – a light and fresh appetizer with dipping flair
- Beetroot Ricotta Cheese Spread – creamy, earthy, and a beautiful bite to start
- Chicken & Waffles with Blueberry Syrup – not Mediterranean, but if you’re brunching this weekend, it’s a must!
Tips for Success
- Marinate the chicken as long as possible for max flavor
- Slice chicken after it rests to keep it juicy
- Make extra sauce—trust me, you’ll want it on everything
- Keep components separate for easy lunch assembly throughout the week
Storage & Meal Prep
- Fridge: Store chicken, sauce, and veggies separately for up to 4 days
- Reheat: Warm chicken and grains in the microwave, then assemble bowls fresh
- Freezer: Marinated uncooked chicken freezes beautifully—just defrost before cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes! Just keep an eye on cook time—they cook faster and can dry out quickly.
Is this good cold or warm?
Both! It’s great served warm for dinner and even better cold as a grab-and-go lunch.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely—swap chicken for grilled tofu, falafel, or roasted chickpeas.
Wrapping It All Up
These Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls are a fresh, vibrant, totally customizable meal that delivers every time. From busy weeknights to sunny lunches, they bring you all the Mediterranean flavors you love with minimal effort and major flavor.
Looking for more share-worthy recipes? You’ll also love:
- Vegetable Platter with Coconut Aminos
- Beetroot Ricotta Cheese Spread
- Chicken & Waffles with Blueberry Syrup
Share the Love!
Tried this recipe? I’d love to see your beautiful bowls! 🍋🫒
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Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls: Fresh, Zesty & Meal Prep-Perfect
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls are everything a weeknight meal should be—bright, satisfying, and packed with feel-good flavor. Tender lemon-garlic chicken, crisp veggies, fluffy grains, and a creamy yogurt-dill sauce come together for the perfect balance of protein, freshness, and zing. It’s fast, flexible, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for prepping ahead or throwing together on a busy evening.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
-
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
-
3 tbsp olive oil
-
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
-
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Bowls:
-
2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or farro
-
1 cucumber, diced
-
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
-
½ red onion, thinly sliced
-
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
-
Optional: Kalamata olives, shredded romaine, avocado
For the Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce:
-
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
-
Juice of ½ lemon
-
1 tbsp fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
-
Optional: 1 tsp honey or a pinch of garlic powder
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 12 hours). -
Cook the Chicken
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing. -
Make the Yogurt Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Adjust seasoning to taste and refrigerate until ready to use. -
Assemble the Bowls
Add grains to each bowl. Top with sliced chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, feta, and any extras. Drizzle generously with yogurt-dill sauce and garnish with lemon wedges or fresh dill.
Notes
-
Swap in grilled tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
-
This bowl is amazing served cold—perfect for lunches or meal prep.
-
Add extra veggies like roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or artichoke hearts.
-
Want more sauce? Double the yogurt mix—you’ll thank me later.
-
For dairy-free: use a plant-based yogurt and skip the feta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Bowls, Meal Prep
- Method: Grilled or Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Keywords: Mediterranean-Inspired Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls