The lunch that makes you look like you have your life together; even on a Tuesday. Lemon-oregano chicken thighs, nutty farro, fresh cucumber-tomato salad, whipped feta, and crispy chickpeas are an easy meal prep meal!
Prep: 25 minutesmins
Cook: 35 minutesmins
Marinating Time: 30 minutesmins
Total: 1 hourhr30 minutesmins
Recipe makes approximately 4
Equipment Needed
large rimmed baking sheet
Large skillet
medium saucepan with lid
Food processor (or immersion blender)
fine mesh strainer
instant read thermometer
Ingredients Needed
For the Chicken
1½poundsboneless(skinless chicken thighs)
3tablespoonsolive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
4garlic cloves(minced)
1tablespoondried oregano
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
For the Farro
1cupuncooked farro(preferably pearled)
2cupschicken broth or water(plus more if required by the farro package)
1pinchsalt
For the Cucumber-Tomato Salad
1English cucumber(diced)
1pintcherry tomatoes(halved)
½red onion(thinly sliced)
¼cupkalamata olives(pitted and halved)
2tablespoonsolive oil
1tablespoonred wine vinegar
½teaspoondried oregano
1pinchsalt
For the Whipped Feta
6ouncesfeta cheese(crumbled)
¼cupplain Greek yogurt
2tablespoonsolive oil
1tablespoonlemon juice
For the Crispy Chickpeas
115-ounce can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and thoroughly patted dry
1tablespoonolive oil
½teaspoonpaprika
½teaspoongarlic powder
1pinchsalt
To Serve
½cuptzatziki(divided into 4 portions of 2 tablespoons each)
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Make the Chicken
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of 2 lemons, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Add 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs and turn to coat. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
Cook for approximately 6–7 minutes per side, continuing as needed until the thickest part reaches 175–185°F for tender thighs. Reduce the heat if the chicken browns too quickly, and work in batches if needed. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Make the Farro
Check the farro package for the recommended liquid amount and cooking time.
Combine 1 cup uncooked farro, 2 cups chicken broth or water, and 1 pinch salt in a saucepan, adjusting the liquid amount to match the package instructions.
Cook according to the package directions until tender but pleasantly chewy. Drain any excess liquid if needed, then fluff with a fork.
Assemble the Cucumber-Tomato Salad
Combine 1 diced English cucumber, 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, ½ thinly sliced red onion, and ¼ cup pitted and halved kalamata olives in a bowl.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 pinch salt.
If serving immediately, toss the vegetables with the dressing. For meal prep, refrigerate the vegetables and dressing separately until ready to eat.
Make the Whipped Feta
Add 6 ounces crumbled feta, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to a food processor.
Process until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Roast the Chickpeas
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Thoroughly pat dry 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed.
Spread the chickpeas on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 pinch salt, then arrange in a single layer.
Roast for 20–30 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Let the chickpeas cool before packing in a separate container. Keep them separate from the other bowl ingredients until serving.
Assemble the Bowls
Divide the cooked farro and sliced chicken evenly among 4 bowls or shallow meal prep containers.
For immediate serving, add the dressed cucumber-tomato salad, whipped feta, and crispy chickpeas. Divide ½ cup tzatziki among the bowls, using 2 tablespoons per serving.
For meal prep, pack the salad, dressing, whipped feta, tzatziki, and chickpeas separately from the chicken and farro.
When ready to eat, warm the chicken and farro. Toss the salad with its dressing, then add the salad, whipped feta, tzatziki, and chickpeas.
Recipe Notes
Make it gluten-free: Replace the farro with 1 cup uncooked rice or quinoa. Use gluten-free chicken brothMake it dairy-free: Replace the feta with 6 ounces dairy-free feta and the Greek yogurt with ¼ cup thick, plain, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt. Use dairy-free tzatziki, too. Farro: We recommend pearled (it works the fastest), but if yours is semi-pearled or whole, follow the directions on your package, and adjust the 2 cups of broth or water as needed.