Paprika Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl (Print Version)

Vibrant roasted vegetables, quinoa, chicken, and fresh avocado in a wholesome bowl.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
04 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Quinoa

10 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
11 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water
12 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Chicken

13 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
17 - ½ teaspoon salt
18 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Lemon Salad

19 - 4 cups mixed salad greens, such as arugula, spinach, or romaine
20 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
21 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
22 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
23 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Bowl Finish

24 - 2 ripe avocados, sliced
25 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
04 - While vegetables roast, combine 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups vegetable broth or water, and ½ teaspoon salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
05 - Pat 2 chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
06 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
07 - In a salad bowl, toss 4 cups mixed greens and sliced cucumber with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper.
08 - Divide cooked quinoa among four bowls as the base. Top each with roasted vegetables, sliced chicken, a handful of lemon salad, and avocado slices. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • One sheet pan means cleanup is barely a thought, which honestly changes everything on a busy evening.
  • The paprika tastes like comfort but feels sophisticated enough to serve when someone asks what you're making.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, so you can actually sit down and eat while your food is still warm.
02 -
  • Wet vegetables steam instead of roast, so pat them completely dry and don't skip this—the caramelization is where all the flavor lives.
  • Chicken temperature matters more than timing, so use a thermometer because overcooked chicken ruins the whole bowl and undercooked chicken ruins everything else.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken against the grain so it stays tender instead of stringy, and let it rest for five minutes so the juices redistribute.
  • Make the lemon dressing at the last minute because wet greens get heavy and sad, but have everything else ready so assembly feels easy.
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