This chicken and vegetable quinoa casserole is loaded with tender chunks of chicken and cheddar cheese, then topped with crunchy tortilla chips. Such a satisfying and easy dinner recipe!
Casseroles. I love them. LOVE THEM. They usually have all the foods I need for a meal right there in one dish, and more often than not they are warm, comforting, and cheesy. This easy quinoa casserole is no exception. This recipe also uses some shortcuts to make it come together in a flash. I just know you will enjoy this one!
There is one bad thing about casseroles, which is that they aren’t always the prettiest foods. Stirring a bunch of ingredients together and baking them just doesn’t make for a nice presentation in most cases, but we don’t eat with our eyes, right? This casserole might look a little less than gorgeous, but just trust me that it makes up it in flavor.
I might have gone a little nuts with cheese in this recipe. Is two cups of cheese in one casserole too much? You could certainly back that off, but it sure did taste good. To speed up the prep, I used frozen quinoa and mixed vegetables that could be steamed in the microwave. I love frozen foods because most don’t have preservatives or anything in them, but they are so convenient to have on hand. My freezer is a bit ridiculous because I might like frozen foods a little too much. It is packed! Pack yours a little more with some mixed veggies and quinoa for this recipe, and I’m sure you will be glad you did.
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 2 teaspoons butter or olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sizes pieces
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (try steam-in-bag frozen quinoa)
- 12 ounces steam-in-bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 10 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup I like Pacific brand.
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 cups medium cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Ingredients
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- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13" baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and chicken, and lightly sprinkle with seasoned salt. Cook and stir until chicken is cooked through.
- While chicken cooks, heat frozen quinoa and vegetables in microwave according to package directions. (If making quinoa for this recipe, start it cooking in step one of this recipe according to package directions.)
- In a large bowl, stir together chicken and onions, quinoa, vegetables, soup, milk, and one cup of cheddar cheese. Transfer mixture into prepared baking dish, and bake uncovered in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Carefully sprinkle remaining cheese over the top of the casserole, and spread the crushed chips over the cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy!
Want more casseroles? Oh my gosh, I have a lot. You can click here to see them all, but here are a few of my favorites. (It’s sort of like choosing a favorite child!)
Chicken and Rice Enchilada Casserole
Holly @ 3 Yummy Tummies says
Yum…you can never have too much cheese in a casserole! This sounds amazing!
Andi Gleeson says
You’re speaking my language, Holly :) Thank you!
Derrell says
I also make casseroles . I like to make chicken , rice and use vegetables in the dish . I really like to make chicken ,broccoli ,rice and cheese with mushroom soup and milk to rinse the mushroom can and all added together then baked . I bake at 350 until the complete dish (9 x 13 is heated through and cheese on top is melted ) . I use the frozen broccoli spears , about 1.5 lbs of it per dish . The cheese I usually use is sharp . I like the taste of it .
Andi Gleeson says
That sounds delicious, Derrell. I wish my husband liked broccoli! Thank you :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This sounds so satisfying and delish! Great comfort food using such a healthy grain – perfect!
Andi Gleeson says
Thank you, Kimberly!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
Too much cheese? NEVER. This is coming from a Wisconsin girl, though. LOL This casserole looks so scrumptious and I love the shortcuts! No one likes a ton of prep!
Andi Gleeson says
I need to come visit you in Wisconsin and binge on cheese :) We would have so much fun!! Thanks, Sara!
Gerry @ Foodness Graciousg says
Super comfort food at its best!! Love it :)
Andi Gleeson says
Thank you so much, Gerry!
Stacey @ Bake.eat.Repeat. says
This casserole sounds perfect – there’s never too much cheese!
Andi Gleeson says
Thanks, Stacey! I’m glad you agree with me on cheesiness :)