Broccoli Quinoa Chicken Casserole (Printable Version)

A wholesome dish combining chicken, quinoa, broccoli, and melted cheese for soulful comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Grains & Base

01 - 2 cups cooked quinoa (approximately 3/4 cup dry)

→ Protein

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
03 - 1 large egg

→ Vegetables

04 - 3 cups broccoli florets, steamed until tender

→ Dairy

05 - 2 cups shredded cheese, divided
06 - 1/2 cup chicken stock, low sodium

→ Seasonings

07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Cook quinoa according to package directions if not already prepared. Allow to cool slightly before combining.
03 - Steam broccoli florets in 1/2 inch water, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain thoroughly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, egg, chicken stock, 1 cup shredded cheese, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated.
05 - Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Press down gently to create an even, compact layer.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1 cup shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
07 - Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
08 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes. Portion into bowls and serve hot.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all afternoon on it.
  • You can prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you get home, which has saved my sanity more times than I can count.
  • The texture—fluffy quinoa, tender broccoli, creamy cheese—hits every note your mouth wants.
02 -
  • Don't skip steaming the broccoli first—raw broccoli will stay too crunchy and firm when baked, and the casserole loses its cohesive, comforting texture.
  • Drain that broccoli thoroughly after steaming, otherwise excess water will make the casserole soggy and less appealing.
  • The egg is small but mighty; it helps everything bind together, so don't leave it out thinking it won't matter.
03 -
  • Use the biggest florets of broccoli you can find—they stay more distinct in the casserole rather than breaking apart into small bits.
  • If your oven runs hot, tent the foil loosely over the dish rather than covering it tightly, so it bakes a bit slower and more evenly.
  • Shred the chicken while it's still slightly warm; it breaks apart more easily and creates a better texture throughout.
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