Italian Summer Chicken Bowls – Grilled Goodness Meets Garden-Fresh Flavor

This Italian Summer Chicken Bowl is a fresh, flavorful dinner featuring juicy grilled chicken, tender orzo, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and a zesty garlic-herb vinaigrette. A perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal for warm nights!

Italian Summer Chicken Bowls – Grilled Goodness Meets Garden-Fresh Flavor

When the summer sun is high and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven, grilled chicken bowls become the hero of the season. We’ve long been fans of bowl meals in our house—there’s something comforting and effortless about piling fresh, flavorful ingredients into one dish. This Italian Summer Chicken Bowl is everything we love: juicy grilled chicken, tender orzo pasta, creamy mozzarella balls, sweet cherry tomatoes, and loads of fresh basil, all tied together with a zesty homemade vinaigrette. It’s vibrant, wholesome, and keeps the kitchen cool while still delivering that home-cooked magic.

What makes this dish a repeat favorite? It’s easy to pull together with pantry staples and a few garden-fresh ingredients, yet the flavors feel restaurant-worthy. The garlic-herb vinaigrette soaks into the warm orzo, the chicken picks up smoky char from the grill, and the mozzarella and tomatoes bring that bright Caprese-style balance. You’ll want to dive in fork-first—trust me.

If you’re looking for a simple, satisfying dinner that captures the essence of Mediterranean cooking, this Italian grilled chicken bowl is it. Whether you're serving it up for a weeknight meal or a backyard dinner with friends, it’s a bowl full of summer—and everyone always comes back for seconds.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Need for These Italian Summer Chicken Bowls

Fresh Produce:

• Garlic
• Lemon
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Fresh parsley

Protein:

• Thin-sliced chicken breasts or cutlets

Dairy:

• Mozzarella balls (look for ciliegine or bocconcini)

Pantry Staples:

• Olive oil
• Orzo pasta
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt & black pepper

Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions

• Chicken breasts → Use chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, or grilled shrimp for a different protein

• Orzo pasta → Swap with couscous, quinoa, farro, or even short pasta like ditalini or small shells

• Mozzarella balls → Use diced fresh mozzarella, crumbled feta, or goat cheese

• Cherry tomatoes → Substitute with grape tomatoes, chopped heirloom tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes

• Lemon juice → White wine vinegar or red wine vinegar make good substitutes in the vinaigrette

• Red pepper flakes → Omit for less heat, or replace with a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne

Variations

• Mediterranean Veggie Bowl: Skip the chicken and add grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, and marinated artichoke hearts for a vegetarian twist.

• Pesto Chicken Bowl: Toss the grilled chicken with a couple spoonfuls of basil pesto for an extra layer of herb-packed flavor.

• Caprese Grain Bowl: Swap orzo for farro or quinoa and add a balsamic glaze drizzle for a heartier, Caprese-inspired version.

• Spicy Kick Bowl: Add sliced pepperoncini or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste to the vinaigrette for a bold, spicy upgrade.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Pound the chicken: If your chicken cutlets are uneven, give them a quick pound to ensure even cooking on the grill. This helps prevent dry spots and keeps them juicy.

• Don’t overcook the orzo: Cook just until al dente—overcooked orzo can get mushy and won’t hold up well in the bowl.

• Let the chicken rest: After grilling, rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing. This locks in the juices and keeps it tender.

• Use warm orzo for best flavor: Tossing the vinaigrette into slightly warm orzo helps it soak up all that herby, garlicky goodness.

• Prep ahead: The vinaigrette can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Just give it a good whisk or shake before using.

• Double the vinaigrette: It’s that good! Use leftovers on salads, grilled veggies, or as a dipping sauce for bread.

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7 Easy Late Summer 30 Minute Meals

A collection of 30 minute meals that help beat the kitchen heat and easily get dinner on the table!

7 Easy Late Summer 30 Minute Meals

Summer is winding down and school is back in session which calls for busy schedules and the last of warm temperatures.  Why spend a lot of time in the kitchen when my collection of 7 Easy Late Summer 30 Minute Meals allow you to soak up the last days of summer.

A collection of beef, chicken and turkey in an array of sandwiches, salads, bowls, and grilled dishes will make it easy to pick the perfect meal and get dinner on the table in a flash to leave you time to enjoy the sunsets.

Enjoy!

1. Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce and Sweet Potatoes - A spectacular take on steak and potatoes.  Tender juicy grilled flank steak is doused with a homemade Chimichurri sauce that's a cinch to make.  Roasted Sweet potatoes make an excellent side dish.

2. Grilled Tuscan Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes - Bring the flavors of Italy to this quick marinaded chicken, grilled to perfection and accompanied by an easy flavorful side dish of tomatoes and green beans.  The perfect weeknight meal.

3.  Italian Chicken Cutlet Paninis - Crunchy chicken cutlets surrounded by juicy tomatoes and gooey mozzarella are doused with a basil mayo and tucked into toasted sourdough bread.  I call this panini heaven!  Serve it with my Green Bean, Tomato, and Avocado Salad.

4.  Summer Steak Salad - A classic steak salad with a robust vinaigrette takes this 30 minute summer meal up a notch!

5.  Greek Chicken Bowls - The definition of quick and easy, this Greek flavored Chicken bowl will transport you to the Greek Isles in 30 minutes!

6.  Island Turkey Salad - Dream of island breezes with this quick and easy to make grilled turkey salad.  It's filled with tropical flavors and so quick you can make it on a weeknight!

7.  Eggplant & Chicken Sandwiches - A riff on the classic dishes, Chicken Parmesan & Eggplant Parmesan, all rolled in to one sandwich.  Grilled Chicken and Eggplant are doused with tomato-basil sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese and served open face on a slice of crusty toasted Italian country loaf bread.  Yum!

It's still hot in Southern California, so stay tuned for more last summer meals that are quick and easy!

Greek Chicken Bowls

My Greek inspired chicken bowl is the perfect 30 minute meal to eat all summer long!

Greek Chicken Bowls

Another 30 minute meal coming your way!  I've been on the hunt trying new quick and easy dishes all summer and this one is perfect for a weeknight meal.  

I used a rotisserie chicken that I shredded up. But you can use any leftover chicken or grill, poach, or bake your own.  Add pearl couscous ( Larger round pasta balls thank Moroccan couscous) as your base  and fill the bowl with garbanzo beans, red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes and feta cheese.  I drizzled a little store bought Tzatziki dressing over the top and dinner is done!  The flavors of Greek food made simple in a simple grain bowl.   Can't beat the flavors or the ease of making this dish.  

Time to enjoy summer!

What Ingredients do I need?

• pearl couscous

• cooked shredded chicken breasts - rotisserie or leftover baked, grilled, or poached chicken

• garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - canned

• orange bell pepper

• red onion

• cucumber - I used English

• grape tomatoes

• feta cheese - I like to buy this in a block and crumble it myself

• Tzatziki bottled dressing - store bought

Substitutions and Variations

• Try adding black olives

• Grains:  Try a grain such as bulgur, quinoa, or farro as the base

• Switch around the vegetables - try sauteed eggplant or zucchini

• Season the chicken - you can easily add a Greek seasoning blend to the chicken and heat it in a skillet before adding it to the bowl.

• Skip the dressing or try a Greek Vinaigrette, or just a dollop of Tzatziki

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Prepare the peal couscous first and then do all your vegetable chopping while that is cooking.

• Serve warm or cold

• Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days

• Great for meal prepping

Products you may need

Pearl Couscous

Saucepan

Wooden Spoon Set  on sale!

Bowls - white embossed ceramic

Bowls - Earth Tones

Chef's Knife

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Greek Chicken Bowls 

Serves 4

1 cup of pearl couscous
1 1/2 cups water
1 lb. cooked shredded chicken breasts, warmed
1 15oz can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 orange bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 English cucumber diced
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
4-5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
Tzatziki dressing

Bring water to a boil. Add couscous and salt. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

To make bowls, divide couscous among 4 bowls. Divide up the chicken,  garbanzo beans, cucumber,  bell pepper,  tomatoes,  red onion,  and feta.  Drizzle with Tzatziki dressing and serve warm.  

Southwestern Chicken and Noodle Bowl

30 minutes and only one pot is all it takes to create this Southwestern Chicken and Noodle Bowl. 

Yum

Bowl food is all the rage right now and why not?  It's an entire meal in one bowl which in my opinion is really genius!  We just love them and repeat these meals often because they are easy to make and only limited by your imagination.  Some of our favorites are Mojito Chicken Bowls and Lighter Burrito Bowl, and Brushetta Chicken Bowl.

Today I have a wonderfully delicious noodle bowl for you.  Noodle bowls typically consist of veggies, noodles of some sort, broth and possibly a protein.  They are usually Asian in nature and are comforting and hearty.  Today we are NOT doing an Asian noodle bowl.  Nope....I'm going to mix it up and change the flavor profile completely.  Let's go Southwestern!

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN AND NOODLE BOWL

These noodle bowls are filled with steaming hot veggies, tender pieces of chicken, tender angel hair pasta, and a killer broth!  The flavors are amazing and this is definitely a soul satisfying dish.  One you will want to put in your "def gonna make this one again" recipe list.

What do I need to make this?  Did I mention that this is a one pot dish?  Yes it is!  You will need a medium sized Dutch oven or it could be made in a large wok.  You will want a vessel with higher sides to hold and boil the broth.  The other tools necessary are tongs, chef knife, and a cutting board.

What ingredients do I use?
This dish is easy to pull together with the following items

• boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• cumin, salt & pepper, red pepper flakes
• garlic
• bell peppers
• low-sodium chicken broth
• angel hair pasta
• salsa
• green onions

I used chicken breasts for this dish because that is what we prefer, but chicken thighs would work perfectly.  One thing that makes the broth a Killer broth is the addition of salsa.  Pick one that you like and if it is "hot" in spice then leave out the red pepper flakes.  Adding a little heat, if you can handle it, really bumps up the flavors in this dish.   The broth is what totally takes this dish from ho-hum to WOW!

Dinner will be on the table in 30 minutes, which is a winner in my book, any day of the week.  We truly love this noodle bowl and are sure that you will too! 


Enjoy!






Southwestern Chicken and Noodle Bowl


serves 4


1 1/2 lbs chicken breast
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
salt & pepper
2 Tablespoons canola oil
2 cloves garlic
32 oz low sodium chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 oz of angel hair pasta
2 bell peppers, chopped - red and orange
3 green onions, green and white parts, cut in 1 inch pieces

Cut the chicken into thin bite-size strips. Sprinkle with cumin, salt, and black pepper. In a Dutch oven or wok over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and allow to get hot (1 minute). Add half the meat and 1 clove of garlic.  Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the middle.  Remove from pan to a dish or baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining oil and chicken.  Remove from the pan and set the chicken aside.

Turn the heat up to high and add the broth to the pan.  Allow the broth to come to a boil.  Add the salsa, red pepper flakes,  pasta, bell peppers, and green onions.  Boil for about 5-6 minutes until pasta is tender. Stir occasionally.  Add the chicken and any accumulated juices back in the pan, turn the heat down to a simmer, cover and allow to heat through about 5 minutes.  Serve in bowls.

15 Easy To Make Pantry Meals

15 Amazing Meals using items from your fridge and pantry.

Yum

During these uncertain times we all have to be creative and use the pantry and fridge items that we have stocked up.  Who would have thought a month ago that we would be stocking our shelves because we were going to be housebound with the Coronavirus pandemic.  Today it is a wise thing to do and choosing food items that have a long shelf life just makes sense. 

Shelf stable items like pasta, rice and beans, go a long way in helping you put together some easy meals.  This post contains a 15 easy pantry meals that are based around recipes with common ingredients that have a long shelf life, and delivers big flavors!

Tip: Go to the grocery store as soon as it opens. Or ask them when they do their restocking of shelves!


Here's some amazing ideas for getting  dinner on the table.



Pasta



1.   3 Ingredient Tomato Gnocchi Soup

An easy, soul warming soup made with 3 ingredients.  Take any canned or boxed tomato soup and add gnocchi, tortellini, or ravioli to it.  Don't have spinach? use, kale or Swiss chard or even parsley...or just leave it out.  This is a comforting dinnertime meal.

Get the recipe>>

2.  Bacon Ranch Chicken Alfredo

A wonderful baked dish that uses jarred Alfredo sauce, chicken, and a packet of ranch dressing.  Don't have any bacon, leave it out or substitute for a vegetable.  Frozen broccoli would be great in here.  

Get the recipe>>





3.  Spicy Beef and Macaroni Tomato Soup

A satisfying soup that features macaroni, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes.  Don't have macaroni, any pasta shape will do.  Perfect for that ground beef you have stashed in the freezer, but ground turkey will work as well.

Get the recipe>>

4.  Orzo Black Bean Salad

A great side dish or main meal.  This recipe can put to use orzo, or any small shaped pasta, along with canned items such as black beans and corn.  Don't have black beans, use any type of beans.

Get the recipe>>

5.  Wild Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna

A one pot meal made in your skillet on the stove-top.  Can't get much more comforting than a lasagna made super easy with ravioli.  Any type of ravioli will due here.  Just as some marinara or any type sauce and some ricotta cheese and dinner is done!

Get the recipe>>


Rice

6. Lighter Burrito Bowl

Perfect with any type of rice, long grain, brown, instant...they all work here.  Plus this is a great use of the stashed ground turkey, chicken, or beef you have in the freezer.  Add a can of black or pinto beans, and some fresh tomatoes and seasonings and you have one heck of a meal!

Get the recipe>>

7.  Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheddar Rice Bowls

Full of flavor and perfect with the use of shredded chicken that is leftover or from the freezer.  Frozen broccoli is perfect in the dish as well, but you can substitute with any frozen or fresh veggies you like.

Get the recipe>>

8.  Cilantro Chicken Rice and Beans

Rice takes on a great base to this skillet meal that includes canned beans, chicken and some great zesty flavors.  A skillet meal with pizzazz!

Get the recipe>>

9.  Bruschetta Chicken Rice Bowl

Bring in a mix of pasta and rice in a pilaf topped with shredded or diced chicken.  Fresh tomatoes along with some garlic go a long way to making this dish stand out.

Get the recipe>>

10.  Mediterranean Chicken and Rice

In the style of a stir fry this dish comes together quickly with chicken or pork, or even beef along with some canned tomatoes and fresh zucchini, all over rice. A favorite dish of ours.

Get the recipe>>


Beans




11.  Easy Homemade Turkey Chili Recipe

The BEST tasting basic recipe for chili ever!  This puts to use your ground turkey, but you can used whatever ground meat you have.  Perfect with canned items such as beans and tomatoes.  Add a bunch of pantry spices and you have a meal good enough for a crowd!

Get the recipe>>

12.  Homemade Minestrone Soup
A great Italian soup that uses those canned items we love...beans and tomatoes.  Use frozen a frozen vegetable mix if you don't have fresh ones, and any pasta shape will work here.  It's a heartwarming soup that will keep you satisfied.

Get the recipe>>

13.  Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Stew

Let your slow cooker do the work and give you that all day long flavor builder without all the hassle.  This utilizes chicken breasts or thighs, canned tomatoes, and beans with a host of Italian spices.  You'll have one easy meal without much fuss.

Get the recipe>>

14.  Easy Beef Wet Burritos

These can easily be made with any ground meat you have in your freezer.  Using refried beans from a can is a nice twist but if you don't have those, use a pinto or black bean and mash them up.  For the sauce, any type of enchilada sauce or El Patio red sauce will do...or leave the sauce off!  They are delicious anyway you fix them.

Get the recipe>>





15.  Borracho Chicken

The slow cooker to the rescue once again with this easy but tasty Latin dish.  With the use of canned pinto, or any type of beans, and some chicken and tequila you will have a hearty meal to serve with rice, quinoa, or faro if you have it.

Get the recipe>>

Remember, the key here is to be flexible when cooking. Substitute items freely. Skip any minor ingredients that you may not have and keep focus on the main ingredients!