Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Quinoa Bake

4.76 from 41 votes

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Quinoa Bake

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Bake is the healthy, cheesy, and easy recipe that will please everyone at your table. The flavors are simple and appealing, the prep is a breeze, and it's perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Total Time1

Course: Dinner, Entree

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic

Servings: servings

Author: Jamie Vespa MS, RD

Equipment

Medium saucepan
4-quart baking dish

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion or shallots
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup dry (uncooked) quinoa
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 cups broccoli florets

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Heat butter and oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 to 5 minutes, until soft. Stir in flour and cook 2 full minutes to remove raw flour taste.
Slowly whisk in broth and milk; increase heat to bring mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, whisking often, until sauce slightly thickens. Whisk in poultry seasoning, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Remove from heat.
Cut chicken into small bite-sized pieces, and season with remaining 1/2 tsp. each of salt and black pepper.
Grease a 4-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Add quinoa, chicken, and broccoli to dish. Pour cheese sauce overtop and carefully stir, making sure all components are mostly submerged in sauce.
Bake for 45 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the quinoa and chicken are cooked through. (If the quinoa and/or chicken are not cooked through at this point, stir and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.)
Remove from oven, stir again, and top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheesy is bubbly and golden. Serve with toppings of choice (I love adding a few dashes of hot sauce.)

Notes

To Store. Refrigerate in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a small baking dish in the oven at 350ºF. Alternatively, you can rewarm individual portions in the microwave.
To Freeze. Freeze in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- You can freeze either before or after baking it - just be sure your dish is freezer-safe.

Nutrition