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Mediterranean Ajvar Chicken Bowl Recipe

Mediterranean Ajvar Chicken Bowl Recipe

This Mediterranean ajvar chicken bowl recipe combines smoky roasted pepper flavor, juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, creamy yogurt sauce, and Mediterranean toppings into a healthy high-protein meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Balkan, Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1½ pounds boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 3 tbsp ajvar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Juice from ½ lemon
For the Bowl Base
  • 3 cups cooked rice quinoa, or bulgur
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • ½ red onion sliced
  • 1 cup chickpeas
  • ½ cup crumbled feta or sirene cheese
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
For the Yogurt Sauce
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh dill or parsley chopped

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, mix ajvar, olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Coat the chicken thoroughly with the marinade and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Cook the chicken using your preferred method:
  4. Grill: 5–6 minutes per side
  5. Oven: Bake at 425°F for 22–25 minutes
  6. Air Fryer: 400°F for 14–16 minutes
  7. In a separate bowl, mix Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and fresh herbs to create the yogurt sauce.
  8. Prepare the bowls by adding rice, quinoa, or bulgur as the base.
  9. Top with sliced chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, chickpeas, feta cheese, and parsley.
  10. Finish with yogurt sauce, extra ajvar, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice if desired.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs stay juicier for meal prep.
  • Spicy ajvar adds extra Balkan-style heat.
  • Store ingredients separately for fresher meal prep bowls.
  • Bulgarian sirene cheese creates a more authentic Balkan flavor.