Broccoli Quinoa Chicken Cheese (Printable Copy)

A wholesome, cheesy bake combining tender chicken, quinoa, and vibrant broccoli, perfect for easy meals.

# What You Need:

→ Grains & Base

01 - 2 cups cooked quinoa (about 3/4 cup dry)

→ Protein

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
03 - 1 large egg

→ Vegetables

04 - 3 cups broccoli florets, steamed until just tender

→ Dairy

05 - 2 cups shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or blend cheese, divided
06 - 1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock

→ Seasonings

07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking dish with oil or nonstick spray.
02 - If not already prepared, cook quinoa according to package directions and allow to cool slightly.
03 - Place broccoli florets in a covered pot with 1/2 inch water and steam for 3-5 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain thoroughly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, egg, chicken stock, 1 cup cheese, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
05 - Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and press down gently to create an even layer.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese evenly over the top.
07 - Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake for 5-10 minutes additional until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Portion into bowls and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together so fast that weeknight dinner stress just melts away.
  • One dish feeds a family and leaves you with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
  • The whole thing freezes beautifully, so you can make two and stash one for later.
02 -
  • Drain your steamed broccoli really well, because excess water will make your casserole watery and sad.
  • That 5-minute rest at the end isn't fancy timing, it's the difference between a scoopable casserole and one that falls apart on your spoon.
03 -
  • If you buy a rotisserie chicken, shred it while it's still slightly warm because it pulls apart so much more easily than when it cools.
  • Make your quinoa in chicken stock instead of water, and it becomes a flavor multiplier that elevates the whole dish without any extra effort.
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