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Quick Lemon Garlic Chicken with Quinoa & Spinach Servings: 2 Total Time: 15 minutes Cooking Equipment: Stove, pan, knife, cutting board Ingredients: • Chicken breast: 2 small pieces (about 150g each) • Quinoa: 1/2 cup (dry) • Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved • Spinach: 2 cups, fresh • Lemon: 1, zested and juiced • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons • Salt & pepper: To taste • Water or chicken broth: 1 cup (for quinoa) Alternatives: • If quinoa is unavailable, you can use brown rice (though cooking time may exceed 15 minutes). • If cherry tomatoes are unavailable, use any diced tomatoes. • If fresh spinach is unavailable, use frozen spinach, but thaw it first. Instructions: 1. Cook the quinoa (5 minutes prep, 10 minutes cooking): • Rinse 1/2 cup of quinoa under cold water. • In a small pot, combine quinoa with 1 cup of water (or chicken broth for extra flavor) and a pinch of salt. • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until quinoa absorbs the water. Fluff with a fork and set aside. 2. Prepare and cook the chicken (10 minutes): • While the quinoa is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. • Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. • Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove from the pan and set aside to rest. 3. Sauté spinach and cherry tomatoes (3-4 minutes): • In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, and halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and tomatoes are slightly softened. • Add spinach and cook for another minute until it wilts. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. 4. Finish with lemon (1 minute): • Slice the cooked chicken breasts. • Squeeze the juice of half the lemon over the chicken slices and sprinkle with lemon zest for freshness. 5. Assemble the dish: • Serve the sliced chicken over the cooked quinoa. • Top with the sautéed spinach and cherry tomatoes. • Optionally, garnish with extra lemon zest or a drizzle of olive oil. Notes: • Portion sizes: Each serving includes about 3/4 cup of quinoa, 1 chicken breast, and a generous amount of sautéed veggies. • Nutritional balance: This dish offers a good balance of lean protein (chicken), complex carbs (quinoa), and fiber/vitamins (spinach and tomatoes), all enhanced with fresh citrus flavor. Enjoy your quick, healthy, and gluten-free meal!