Description
This creamy chicken quinoa and broccoli casserole is a wholesome, comforting dish made with tender chicken, fluffy quinoa, crisp broccoli, and a homemade creamy sauce. It’s easy to prepare, packed with protein, and perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup 2% milk, divided
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 cups water, divided
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose seasoning (or mild seasoning blend)
- 1/4 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or similar melting cheese)
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a saucepan, bring chicken broth and 1/2 cup milk to a low boil. In a separate bowl, whisk remaining 1/2 cup milk with poultry seasoning and flour until smooth.
- Whisk the flour mixture into the boiling broth, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the prepared sauce, 1 cup water, and rinsed quinoa. Pour into the greased baking dish.
- Slice chicken breasts into thin strips and lay them over the quinoa mixture. Sprinkle chicken with all-purpose seasoning.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, blanch broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute until bright green, then rinse with cold water and set aside.
- After 30 minutes, remove casserole from oven and stir gently. If too liquidy, bake an additional 10–15 minutes until quinoa is fully cooked and mixture is thickened.
- Stir in broccoli and up to 1 cup of water if needed to reach desired creaminess. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
- Replace Gruyère with cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for variety.
- Frozen broccoli can be used but should be thawed and well drained.
- For freezer prep, assemble the casserole without broccoli and freeze before baking.
- Bake longer if casserole is still liquidy after 30 minutes—ovens vary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
