Go Back
Serving of creamy chicken quinoa casserole with broccoli, chicken, quinoa, and melted Gruyere topping.

Creamy Chicken Quinoa Casserole Baked with Broccoli

Creamy chicken quinoa casserole is a comforting baked meal with tender quinoa, seasoned chicken, broccoli, and a smooth sauce. It is a hearty choice for easy weeknight dinners when you want a satisfying one-dish recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 317
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Creamy Sauce
  • 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 cup flour
Casserole Base
  • 2 cups water, divided
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon (optional… sort of)
Chicken
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons seasoning (like Emeril’s Essence or any basic blend you like)
Topping and Vegetables
  • 1/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (any kind will work)
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and generously grease a 9×13 baking dish.
  2. Bring the chicken broth and 1/2 cup milk to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup milk with the poultry seasoning and flour, then add it to the boiling liquid and whisk until the sauce is smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the sauce, 1 cup water, quinoa, and bacon. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Baking
  1. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and arrange them over the quinoa mixture. Sprinkle the chicken with the seasoning and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
  2. Check the casserole by stirring the mixture in the baking dish. If needed, continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the quinoa and chicken are cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Finishing
  1. While the casserole bakes, place the broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute until bright green, then rinse it under cold water and set aside.
  2. Add the broccoli to the casserole along with a little water, up to one cup, until the texture is creamy and easy to stir.
  3. Top with the cheese and bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

Notes

Rinse the quinoa before cooking to help achieve the best texture in the finished casserole.