Mexi-Quinoa Chicken Casserole

Quinoa and chicken are simmered in a tomato-based sauce flecked with jalapeno peppers and black beans in this weeknight Mexican-inspired meal.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 458 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese (Optional)
• ¼ cup sour cream (Optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 ½ cups salsa
• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring chicken broth and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet; cook and stir chicken until no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion, green bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Mix quinoa, chicken, black beans, salsa, tomato paste, garlic salt, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and oregano into onion mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, until casserole is heated through and thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Top casserole with sour cream and Cheddar cheese.