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Taking inspiration from an old favorite casserole my mom used to make, and turning it into this healthier chicken broccoli cheddar quinoa casserole.
This casserole is honestly this simplest dish ever. It’s one of those recipes you crave on nights when you need something hearty, but want something healthy too. I hate to chat weather, but over here our nights have been turning colder with each passing day. Come morning we’ll have frost on the ground. Now, I know it’s totally still summer and all, and we’ve been having gorgeous mid 70 degree days, but I’m feeling as though we are slowly starting to ease our way into fall. After all, September is just days away, meaning fall is literally right around the corner…and practically knocking at the door…
A little too wordy there? Probably, but I dunno, I think it sounds kind of catchy.
Moving right along…my point here is that this is the perfect recipe to transition us from summer to autumn. It’s totally healthy, but yet feels totally cozy at the same time. It’s good on a warm night, but also awesome for those first few crisp nights that will slowly be creeping in.
Speaking of which, does the start of crisp nights excite you guys like they excite me? For as much as I love summer, I am also so excited for fall. Fall is without a doubt my favorite season. And with the Half Baked Harvest Cookbook being a fall release, I am especially excited for this coming autumn. So much to be thankful for and to be looking forward to. Now, I just need to keep saying this twenty times over in my head to block out all those other anxious feelings. Still so excited though!
You guys, this book is out exactly TWO WEEKS from today! This book has been almost three years in the making, I cannot wait. If you have yet to pre-oder a copy, you can do so here. Just sayin’.
Okay. Sorry. Back to this healthy casserole!
Typically when I think of casseroles, I think of them as a cozy, but probably not that healthy of a meal. With this casserole I really wanted to create a casserole that was both cozy and healthy.
Enter this cheesy chicken broccoli quinoa casserole.
Instead of using a bunch of canned ingredients, I decided to keep the recipe simple and straight forward by using boneless chicken breasts, a little milk, chicken broth, quinoa, mushrooms, and plenty of broccoli. I used thyme as my flavor enhancer and just a pinch of garlic. I finished everything off with a sprinkle of cheddar (because I love the combo of broccoli and cheddar so much) and done.
All (mostly) good for you ingredients, and all ingredients you may even have on hand right this second. <–hello pantry staples!
One of my favorite parts about this recipe though?
ONE SKILLET. Yesssss! Truly nothing better than an entire dinner all made in one skillet. Just makes life, especially busy weeknight life, so much easier.
I’m not sure if you guys have noticed, but I’ve been loving the skillet recipes these days, see this salmon, this peach chicken, and this grilled cheese.
Not complaining.
And lastly? This is the perfect comfort meal to make just about any day better. The real reason I made this was for my sweet mom. Since my grandma’s passing, I have been making a conscious effort to make her some of her personal favorites. Chicken and rice, and broccoli and cheddar, are two of her all time favorites, so this casserole was really for her.
Verdict? She LOVED it.
Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1/2 sweet onion, diced
- 1 cup cremini mushrooms, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups roughly chopped broccoli
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, plus more for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the broiler to high.2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet. 3. To the skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion, and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion is fragrant and the mushrooms have caramelized, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute. 4. Slowly pour in the milk and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the quinoa, broccoli, thyme, and garlic powder. Stir back in the chicken. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is tender. Remove from the heat and add the cheese. Transfer to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted. 5. Top with fresh thyme and EAT!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
The perfect balance of healthy…and cheesey.
Used cream of mushroom soup instead of milk flour and mushrooms ?
What a great Idea! Sounds yummy!
I am curently looking for recipes with quinoa and this looks delicious!
chiara
https://adventures-around-the-world.blogspot.de/
Thank you! I hope you love the casserole!
This looks fantastic. Quinoa scares me so I’m looking forward to tackling it with chicken broccoli and cheese!
Thank you, Maura! I hope you love this casserole!
can this recipe be doubled and if so, what size skillet/pan should it be cooked in? thank you!
Yes! I would use a large 12 inch skillet. Hope you love the casserole and let me know if you have other questions. Thanks!
It’s funny that you mention crisp days. We have been living in a high rise apartment in the city…which means no outdoor space and windows that open 2 inches at best. After many years of looking, we finally moved into our own place which (while still in the city) has more of a neighborhood vibe and real windows that open. It’s near the park. . .and you can actually hear birds! Imagine that. . .birds!!! We’ve been keeping the windows open and the crisp cool air has been intoxicating. Indeed the perfect weather for a hearty bowl of casserole. Loving that you made it with quinoa.
AHH! That sounds like it was a much needed upgrade!! So happy for you Lynn! Hope you love the casserole!
Could I use cornstarch instead of flour to make it gluten free?
HI Sandy, yes cornstarch will work great. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Please read today post many have questions!
Sorry Sandy! Been a bit behind!
Looks so good. I, too, am excited for Fall! Will be adding this to my must make list. Thanks!
Thanks Karla hope you enjoy!
One skillet dinner? SOLD.
YES! Thanks!!
Amazing recipe! This looks absolutely delicious, thanks for the share. Keep up the posts!
SO happy you like it Rachel! Thanks!
Would you suggest adding the chicken back in just before topping with the cheese etc?
Hi! Stir the chicken in with the quinoa. Recipe is all fixed now, sorry about that. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe! 🙂
It was mentioned above, but you didn’t say when to add the chicken back in. Left to my own judgment, I’ll add it after the quinoa is cooked, but before the cheese goes on.
I have a chicken broccoli casserole that I make and my daughter LOVES. I’m going to try your version. It looks tasty. I’m looking forward to seeing the cookbook!
Hey Lil! Stir the chicken in with the quinoa. Recipe is all fixed now, sorry about that. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe! 🙂
Thank you so much!
One word only for your new idea — Delicious!!
love from India
Order Food Online in Jaipur
Thank you so much!
When do you add the cooked chicken back in? I presume when you add the quinoa???
Hey Charlotte! Stir the chicken in with the quinoa. Recipe is all fixed now, sorry about that. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe! 🙂
Yum, looks delc Ious and easy to “vegetarianize” with beans or extra veggies. What kind of skillet do you use for your skillet dinners? Time to launch HBH shop.
Hey Lori! I use Satub skillets. They are my favorite! Link below: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/staub-fry-pan/?isx=0.0.2613&pkey=ccookware-staub%7Cstaub-cast-iron&source=ir&utm_source=ir&irgwc=1&cm_cat=rewardStyle&cm_ven=AfShopPromo&bnrid=3917500&cm_ite=Std&cm_pla=IR