One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Quinoa

Published May 17, 2015. Updated March 5, 2020

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I’m always on the lookout for easy dinners that are delicious, healthy, filling, and meals that my whole family agree on. This one pot meal is everything listed all made in one pot and it can be ready in about 30 minutes (cut the broccoli and grate cheese while chicken and quinoa cook to best use time). My whole family loved it and I’ve already made it three times! I loved how easy it was to throw together and that it required minimal clean up. It reminded me a lot of the Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Rice Casserole my mom always made but this uses quinoa and it’s made on the stovetop instead of in the oven.

One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Quinoa | Cooking Classy

Even though this has cheese I’d still consider it a healthy meal because each serving only has 1 oz of cheese. I’ve made this with both medium and sharp cheese and like both, of course if you like a stronger cheddar flavor then use sharp or you could even use extra sharp.

I hope your family loves this as much as mine did. Thanks Melissa for the inspiration! Be sure to head over to her blog and try her original rice version. This girl is queen of one pot meals!

One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Quinoa | Cooking ClassyOne Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Quinoa | Cooking Classy

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5 from 9 votes

One Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli with Quinoa

An easy an delicious dinner recipe all cooked in one pan! Made with hearty nutritious quinoa, lean chicken, vitamin rich broccoli and cheddar cheese for lots of flavor.
Servings: 4
Prep15 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Ready in: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add onion and saute 2 minutes, then add chicken and cook 2 1/2 minutes stirring occasionally. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer (chicken should be cooked on outsides but inside doesn't need to be fully cooked through at this point because it will boil and simmer).
  • Add in broth, quinoa and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a full boil then cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook 12 minutes.
  • Then quickly lift lid, sprinkle broccoli over top, recover and simmer about 8 minutes longer or until quinoa and broccoli have cooked through (it may have a little broth in the bottom still at this point and you can carefully drain it off if desired, just don't pour everything down the drain!). Sprinkle cheese over top, cover and heat 1 - 2 minute until cheese has melted.
  • Recipe adapted from Number 2 pencil
Nutrition Facts
One Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli with Quinoa
Amount Per Serving
Calories 471 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 102mg34%
Sodium 361mg16%
Potassium 999mg29%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 41g82%
Vitamin A 672IU13%
Vitamin C 55mg67%
Calcium 271mg27%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

 

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66 Comments

  • Hannah

    I love this recipe, but I’ve been in an instant pot kick lately so I’m going to try it in the instant pot tonight! Hopefully it works… Only worried that the broccoli might be mushy if I put it in at the start, but I don’t want to stop it in the middle of cooking the quinoa. So I’m going to try adding it at the end and just put the lid back on with it on low for ten minutes or so. I’ll let you know if it turns out!

  • Christine

    This is one of my favorite recipes that I ever found on a blog! It combines so many of my favorite things: guilt-free cheesiness, a way to remake my leftovers (precooked chicken), easy pantry staple ingredients, and a quick one pot wonder! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I am going to share the way that I make it on my blog this week and will definitely link back to you. Thanks again for sharing!! =)

  • Heather

    I didn’t have just thyme, so I used Italian seasoning instead. I loved this, but My kids said it’s not as good as the bbq chicken quinoa casserole I make.

  • Elisa

    Just made this tonight and it was delicious! I added extra garlic and some Tony Chachares salt free seasoning for a kick. Hubby loved it and he is not a big quinoa fan. Nice to replace starchy rice with a lighter alternative!

  • Cat

    I’ve been on a “quinoa bowl” kick lately and was so happy to find a recipe that 1) wasn’t Mexican flavored (most are and they all contain the same ingredients) and 2) had two of my fave flavors (chicken and broccoli). I did use the quinoa with sprouted rice (love that stuff) and topped it with the three cheddar cheese blend. OMG! This is the best quinoa bowl recipe ever!!!!! Comfort food the healthy way. 5 star rating! Thanks so much Jaclyn!!!!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m so glad you liked this recipe Cat! Thanks for letting me know :)!

  • Anna

    I have given this recipe to so many friends! It is like a healthier version of Chicken Divan. Yummy comfort food for sure!

  • Carmen

    I have a lot of turkey leftover from Thanksgiving in the freezer and I think I’ll try this recipe with lots of fresh broccoli. I’ve never tried quinoa but have been wanting to try also. So this recipe will work all the way around!!!