Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Quinoa Bake Recipe
This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Quinoa Bake is a hearty and nutritious one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and protein-packed quinoa all baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it combines wholesome ingredients with rich flavors and a delightful golden cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup dry (uncooked) quinoa
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare sauce: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 full minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Make the cheese sauce: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a simmer, cooking for about 5 minutes while whisking often until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the poultry seasoning, half of the salt and pepper, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Remove the sauce from heat.
- Prepare chicken and assemble: Cut the chicken breasts into small bite-sized pieces and season with the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Grease a 4-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Add the dry quinoa, chicken pieces, and broccoli florets to the dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and gently stir to combine, ensuring all components are mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Bake the casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Check if the quinoa and chicken are cooked; if not, stir and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until fully cooked.
- Final cheese topping and broil: Remove the casserole from the oven and stir again. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm, optionally with dashes of hot sauce or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor.
- If you want a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk.
- Quinoa can be rinsed before use to remove natural bitterness.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- This dish stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheats nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: cheesy chicken bake, quinoa casserole, broccoli bake, healthy chicken dinner, easy weeknight meal, baked quinoa dish
