Copycat First Watch Quinoa Power Bowl

I am going to share with you one of my favorite new recipes – my Copycat First Watch Quinoa Power Bowl. It is chocked full of protein-packed quinoa mixed with grilled chicken, lemon, feta, roasted tomatoes and shredded carrots. Better yet, all of the ingredients can be found at ALDI, so it is not only healthy, but budget friendly.

Ingredients for Copycat First Watch Quinoa Power Bowl can be found at ALDI.

I, like many people, have been trying to eat healthier. Part of that has been substituting refined wheat flour with more whole grains like quinoa. I often brunch at First Watch, and decided to try one of their Quinoa Power Bowls, instead of going for the pancakes. I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh, hearty and satisfying the dish was, and the boost of energy stayed with me for hours without leaving me sluggish, as typical with sugar-laden pancakes.

So, I decided to make this new dish a staple in my diet. I typically make a large batch to eat throughout the week, which is a lifesaver on those days when you just can’t muster up the energy to prepare a healthy dinner after a long day at work. The recipe is quite simple, and the dish is a complete meal all-in-one, so it takes the guess work out of what side dishes to prepare to ensure a balanced meal of protein, whole grains and fresh veggies. Try it today and let me know what you think!

Makes: 8 1-cup servings
Calories: 290 per serving
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Quinoa:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups chicken stock

Lemon Dressing:
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Other Ingredients:
2 cups finely diced chicken (I use frozen, fully cooked, grilled chicken strips)
1 (4 oz) container of feta cheese
1 (14 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 tablespoon pesto sauce
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 1/2 cups water

Directions:
Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove any residue. Combine quinoa and chicken broth in a large pot over high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.

While the quinoa is cooking, you can prepare the lemon dressing. Zest and juice a lemon into a small bowl. Add olive oil, salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Set aside.

Thaw frozen chicken strips in the microwave (do not overcook) and finely dice. Set aside.

Once quinoa is cooked, add lemon dressing, chicken, feta cheese, diced tomatoes, carrots, half-and-half and water. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy.

Spoon into individual bowls or serving dish, and serve immediately. Now, how easy was that? Enjoy!

You can easily add this recipe to Pinterest! Once you make it, be sure to leave a review!