Description

This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Quinoa Bake is a comforting and nutritious one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and protein-packed quinoa all baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful, satisfying casserole with a golden, bubbly cheese topping.

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

Prepare the cheese sauce: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk, then increase the heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, whisking frequently until the sauce slightly thickens. Stir in poultry seasoning, half of the salt, half of the black pepper, and half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Remove from heat.
Prepare the casserole ingredients: Cut the chicken breasts into small bite-sized pieces. Season with the remaining salt and black pepper. Grease a 4-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Combine the dry quinoa, chicken pieces, and broccoli florets in the dish. Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the ingredients, gently stirring to ensure everything is mostly submerged in the sauce.
Bake the dish: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the quinoa and chicken are cooked through. If they are not fully cooked, stir again and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the dish from the oven, stir the casserole one last time, and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Broil for topping: Set the oven to broil. Place the dish under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown. Remove carefully from the oven and serve immediately. For extra flavor, consider adding a few dashes of hot sauce or your favorite toppings.

Notes

Make sure to stir halfway through baking to ensure even cooking of the quinoa and chicken.
If quinoa or chicken isn’t fully cooked after the initial baking time, continue baking in 5-minute increments.
Broil carefully and watch closely to avoid burning the cheese topping.
This dish can be a complete meal on its own but can be complemented with a fresh side salad for more veggies.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheesy Chicken Bake, Quinoa Casserole, Broccoli Bake, Healthy Chicken Dinner, One Dish Meal, Comfort Food