Description
Comfort meets nutrition in this creamy chicken quinoa and broccoli casserole, blending hearty proteins with wholesome grains. Packed with flavor and nourishment, you’ll savor each delicious forkful of this satisfying one-dish meal that brings warmth to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 3 cups small broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (473 ml)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 ½ cups milk (2% or whole) (355 ml)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Simultaneously, cook quinoa in chicken broth until fluffy and tender.
- Sauté Foundation: In a large skillet, caramelize onions and garlic in olive oil. Add broccoli and cook until slightly softened, creating a fragrant vegetable base.
- Protein Integration: Incorporate shredded chicken and cooked quinoa into the skillet. Season with thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to enhance flavor profiles.
- Creamy Sauce Creation: Craft a velvety sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, and gradually adding milk until thickened. Fold in Greek yogurt and a portion of cheese, creating a rich, smooth consistency.
- Casserole Assembly: Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken-quinoa mixture, stirring to ensure even distribution. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and crown with remaining cheese.
- Baking Finale: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling with aromatic promise. Allow to rest briefly before serving this comforting, nutritious meal.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove bitter coating and ensure fluffy texture.
- Don’t overcook broccoli; keep it slightly crisp for better nutrition and texture in the casserole.
- Whisk milk slowly into flour mixture to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce.
- Use room temperature cheese for more even melting and smoother overall consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg