Go Back
Chicken quinoa casserole with black beans, salsa, vegetables, and melted cheese on a plate

Mexican Chicken Quinoa Casserole with Black Beans, Salsa

Mexican chicken quinoa casserole combines tender seasoned chicken, fluffy quinoa, black beans, vegetables, and melted cheese into a hearty baked meal. It is a comforting choice for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings with a satisfying texture and bold flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 392
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
  • 1 14 oz / 395 g can cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (plus 1/2 cup more if needed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 cloves minced garlic (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, divided
Vegetables
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 jalapeño, minced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 4 bell peppers, sliced
Chicken
  • 1 1/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Topping
  • 1 jalapeno, minced

Method
 

Baking Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine the quinoa, black beans, salsa, chicken broth, salt, garlic, and 1/2 cup shredded cheese in a large bowl.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a well-greased casserole dish approximately 9×13 inches. Bake for 30 minutes.
Vegetable Preparation
  1. While the quinoa bakes, warm the oil in a large skillet. Add the jalapeño, onion, and bell peppers, then sauté until the vegetables are golden brown and tender-crisp.
  2. Remove the skillet from the heat and set the vegetables aside.
Chicken and Final Baking
  1. Coat the raw chicken pieces with taco seasoning.
  2. After the first 30 minutes of baking, stir the quinoa mixture thoroughly and add the seasoned chicken. Mix until the chicken is mostly covered by the casserole mixture, then return the dish to the oven for another 30 minutes.
  3. Check the quinoa texture after baking. If some pieces on the surface remain firm, stir the casserole and continue baking briefly until the quinoa is cooked.
Topping
  1. When the casserole is finished, add the peppers and remaining shredded cheese on top. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted as desired.

Notes

Stir the casserole after the first bake to help the chicken cook within the seasoned quinoa mixture and to redistribute moisture for even quinoa texture.