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Quinoa Power Bowl with Pesto, Chicken, and Tomatoes

Pantry To Table
This copycat recipe for First Watch Quinoa Bowl is well-worth the extra steps of homemade pesto and tomatoes!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 623 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
  • 3/4 teaspoon paprika, hot or mild
  • 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt, such as Lawry's
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed, (I used tri-colored)
  • 3 cups chicken stock, lower sodium
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • pinch black pepper
  • 1 cup carrots, shredded, see Notes
  • 3 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
  • 1 recipe Roasted Tomatoes, see recipe below
  • 1 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
  • 3 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
  • Pesto Sauce, see recipe below
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving

Roasted Tomatoes:

  • 1 pint container cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, see Notes
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • pinch kosher salt
  • freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Pesto Sauce:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1/2-3/4 cup excellent-quality extra-virgin olive oil, begin with the smallest amount
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1-2 tablespoons chicken stock, lower sodium

Instructions
 

For the Roasted Tomatoes:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Lightly spray the foil. Set aside.
  • In a quart-size sealable bag (or small bowl), place all the ingredients for the tomatoes. Seal the bag and gently shake to distribute all the ingredients. If using a bowl, gently stir to evenly coat the tomatoes.
  • Spread the tomatoes on the baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Check for caramelization and loss of moisture. Continue to bake if desired.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool before storing (if making the day before). Set aside until ready to use if continuing with the recipe.

Make the Pesto/Pesto Sauce:

  • In a food processor fitted with the blade or in the carafe of a blender, add the basil, nuts, cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Turn the blender or processor on low and begin adding the oil. Stop and scrap the sides of the bowl/carafe as needed while blending. Once you have the consistency you are happy with, taste for salt and pepper and adjust as needed. 
  • If you are making the pesto in advance, scrape the mixture into a bowl and place plastic wrap over the bowl, pressing down so the plastic wrap touches and covers the surface of the pesto. This will help the pesto to not turn brown (oxidize) so quickly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Place 2 tablespoons of the pesto (or more if you’d like, to taste), heavy cream and one tablespoon of the stock in a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Set aside until ready to use, just before serving. 

Chicken and Quinoa:

  • In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, garlic and onion powders. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts. (If time allows, let the chicken sit for 30 minutes before cooking.)
  • Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a shallow sauté pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until 165 degrees, approximately 5-7 minutes per side. (Time depends on the thickness of your chicken and your heat source.) Remove the chicken from the pan onto a plate and set aside. (Chicken can be cooked the day before and gently reheated over medium-low heat when ready to use.)
  • In a medium pot, bring the 3 cups of stock to a boil. Make sure the stock tastes good, since the quinoa will be absorbing all this flavor. Add the teaspoon of kosher salt (or as much as desired to add) and pepper.
  • Add the rinsed quinoa to the pot and place a fitted lid on top. Cook the quinoa for 15 to 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat. 
  • While the quinoa is cooking, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the carrots and kale, stirring occasionally for about 7 to 10 minutes or until just barely softened and the kale still has its nice color. Sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. (You can add a tablespoon or two of the stock to quickly steam the veggies. That is optional.) Set aside.
  • To serve, in a large serving bowl, add the quinoa, sauteed vegetables, and tomatoes. Toss gently to combine. 
  • Stir the pesto sauce again, then drizzle as much as desired over the quinoa mixture. Slice the chicken and place on top, then sprinkle with the Feta and parsley.
  • Serve warm with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Notes

You can grate your own carrots for this recipe, but I do like the sturdiness of the store-bought shredded carrots. They hold up so well in this recipe.
First Watch makes their “Pesto Sauce” with ranch dressing. I used heavy cream and chicken stock added to the pesto to thin it out. You can try it either way and see which you like!
You can also use small Roma tomatoes for the Roasted Tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Quinoa Power Bowl with Pesto, Chicken, and Tomatoes
Serving Size
 
1.5 cup
Amount per Serving
Calories
623
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
42.5
g
65
%
Saturated Fat
 
10.8
g
68
%
Trans Fat
 
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
7.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
22.3
g
Cholesterol
 
60.3
mg
20
%
Sodium
 
870.6
mg
38
%
Carbohydrates
 
40.1
g
13
%
Fiber
 
5.4
g
23
%
Sugar
 
4.8
g
5
%
Protein
 
25.6
g
51
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword pesto, quinoa, power bowl, feta, lemon, chicken, brunch dish, healthy
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