Mexican Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Chicken, quinoa, and black beans combined with classic Mexican spices create a hearty, yet light, casserole you’ll enjoy any time of the year!
The weather is getting chillier here in Cincinnati. After a mild summer, and for the first time in years, I think I’m ready for fall. Maybe it’s the baby growing inside of me, but I’m really looking forward to comfort foods, comfy clothes, and cooler weather.
I actually made this dish for the first time last spring. The lovely people at Kohl’s sent me this Bobby Flay Stoneware pan to try out and I started thinking about what I wanted to make… I had a ripened avocado on the counter, so that was my inspiration.
I started throwing stuff together and came up with a mixture that I was happy with. After scooping it to the pan and baking it, I topped it with some of that fresh ripe avocado. One thing I really enjoy about this recipe is that it reheats nicely. So I can whip it up one night for dinner and we can enjoy leftovers for a couple days for lunch.
You could change up the mix-ins or the spices to fit your preferences or what you have on hand. I’ve also made this where I leave the tomatoes out while it bakes and top the casserole with freshly chopped tomatoes instead. That was a great way to use some fresh, ripe tomatoes!
Even though this was the first dish I made in my Bobby Flay pan, it isn’t the only thing I’ve made in it. We’ve made plenty of food using the pan for the past few months and have no complaints about it. I (of course) love the red color!
One Year Ago: Brownie Sundae Ice Cream
Two Years Ago: Peach Cobbler
Three Years Ago: Chocolate Biscoff Cupcakes
Four Years Ago: Baja Fish Tacos
Five Years Ago: Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream Bars
Six Years Ago: Blueberry Buckle
Seven Years Ago: BBQ Dip
Mexican Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Chicken, quinoa, and black beans combined with classic Mexican spices create a hearty, yet light, casserole you'll enjoy any time of the year!
Ingredients:
1 pkg boneless skinless chicken breasts (~2 lbs uncooked), or ~3.5 cups pre-cooked chicken, diced or shredded
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
10 oz cherry tomatoes (~2 cups), chopped
6 oz fresh baby spinach, chopped
1 15-oz can low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
6 oz plain Greek yogurt
1 14.5 oz can low-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground chipotle
1/2 Tbsp pepper
2 tsp salt
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
Chopped cilantro, avocado, etc for topping
Directions:
If not using leftover cooked chicken, heat oven to 375 degF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment. Place chicken on baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. Turn once after ~10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Boil the 2 cups of water in a small saucepan. Once boiling, stir in quinoa and return to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until quinoa absorbs water. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degF. Spray 9x13 pyrex pan or two 8x8 pans with non-stick spray.
Once chicken in cool enough to handle, chop in to bite sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and beans.
In a small mixing bowl, combine yogurt, chicken broth and seasonings. Stir in cheddar cheese. Pour over contents of large bowl and stir to combine (I like to use my hands to ensure complete coverage).
Pour mixture into prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbling around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings.
Recipe from Beantown Baker
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I think it would be SO awesome to live in India…mostly for the food. Which places do you like in Boston? I used to live there and really want to move back at some point!
This chicken tikka masala looks so tasty. Wonderful for PFB!
Joanne – We love Punjab Palace in Allston for delivery and Tamarind Bay in Brookline for eating in.
So great that you made it through. I’m sure you will make it to the next round with this beauty. Your take on this Indian classic looks absolutely delicious!
Punjab Palace is my absolute FAVORITE Indian place in Boston. They actually make my dishes spicy unlike some other places in Boston. I’ve always wants to try Tamarind Bay as well. Delicious recipe!
kitchenmisfit – definitely try Tamarind Bay. They have a great little outdoor seating area so if you can get there before fall arrives in full swing, I’d definitely recommend it.
I love chicken tikka masala – I just made it about six months ago for the first time, and I’ve made it a dozen times since!
I have a version that takes 30 minutes – I found I couldn’t taste the difference of the chicken when it marinated in the yogurt, so just skip it!
http://mybizzykitchen.com/2010/03/09/more-indian-food/
I voted for you – good luck!
This is fantastic! I love chicken tikka masala and its great you can cross off another item on your list!
Chicken Tikki Masala is my go to Indian food too! I had a great meal at Rani in Brookline a few years ago. I just voted for you. good luck.
Also – how fun you are giving away the KAF treats! 🙂
looks fantastic–you got my vote 🙂 i’ll have to try this one next!
I made tikka masala too for this challenge! It’s so yummy and tasty. Yours looks really delicious, and I voted for you.
You can see mine at http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/2/view/973
Yum, I love Chicken Tikka Masala…this looks delicious Jen and you got my vote!
Love love me some tikka masala! And totally cute photo of the monkey. 🙂 Got my vote! Good luck!
Is it rude if I request to be invited over next time you make this?! Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my favorites and your looks so goooood!
Best of luck in the competition…I’m rooting for you!!
u r so right bout indian food,..
platter looks yum,..good luck.:-)
this looks delicious 🙂 Good luck with project food and you got my vote for this one! Feel free to drop by 🙂 Good luck and best wishes for making to the top !! WOOHOO
jen @ http://www.passion4food.ca
I love chicken tikka masala too, but haven’t ever attempted it. I’ll have to do it now, you made it look simple. You got my vote!
This looks awesome. I love Indian cuisine. Best of luck with round 2!!!
We love Indian food, I wish we had it more often. Our go to is also Tikka Masala and I am thinking we may need to revisit it again real soon. Great job you have my vote.
Voted for you and good luck with PFB 🙂
I would like to invite you to participate in my giveaway
http://atasteofkoko.blogspot.com/2010/08/mini-pistachio-tea-cakes-40.html
Here is my entry for PFB http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/2/view/1039
What a fabulous dish you chose for the PFB challenge. Great job! I loved the monkey, but didn’t realize they were pick-pockets. Little rascals! I’ve not tried much Indian food, but would love to try your recipe. Sending you the best of luck in future challenges, along with my vote!
You’ve got my vote! I’m glad you were able to challenge yourself by cooking Indian food. Good thing you did, this dish looks amazing!!
That is so amazing that your husband has gotten to the opportunity to live in India.
Good luck, I know you are going to go far in this competition.
I voted! 🙂 Looks great! I love Indian food but unfortunately I’m the only one in my family and friends circle that loves it. In order to eat it I have to eat alone…haha.
Thanks for visiting my site.
I am panjabi ana love tikka. great post and voted by me.. I always use tikka flavoured chicken for my pizza…
Lovely post, placed my vote. Hope we both make it to the next round!
Your tikka looks great!! Don’t you love the Pioneer Woman? I cast a vote for you!
Lisa
I made this last Thursday. It was very good but way too spicy for my kids. When I make it again I am only adding one and a half T of garam masala and omitting the yogurt on the chicken.Thanks for all the yummy recipes!
not going to lie- mine didn’t taste so great. i was very hopeful, but i guess a year + of living in india puts my standards really high.
my favorite indian restaurant in boston is punjabi dhaba in inman square. lines so long they’re usually down the block, and there are always lots of desis there- that’s how you know it’s good. best dosa and chicken tikka masala i’ve had this side of the atlantic. silverware is optional.