# Components:
→ Grains & Base
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Protein
04 - 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Vegetables
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
12 - 1 large carrot, julienned
13 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
14 - 1 cup baby spinach
15 - 1/2 cup edamame, shelled and cooked
16 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
→ Dressing
17 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
19 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
20 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
21 - Salt, to taste
22 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
23 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
24 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Combine quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - While cooking grains and chicken, chop the cherry tomatoes, cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, baby spinach, edamame, and cucumber according to the specified preparations.
04 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Divide cooked quinoa evenly among four meal-prep containers. Layer sliced chicken, chopped cherry tomatoes, purple cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, spinach, edamame, and cucumber in organized, colorful sections over the base.
06 - Drizzle dressing over assembled bowls or pack dressing separately for freshness. Garnish each bowl with toasted pumpkin seeds and chopped parsley.
07 - Store meal-prep bowls refrigerated for up to 4 days.
