This yummy, nutritious and easy-to-make casserole features creamy chicken, quinoa, bacon, broccoli and loads of health benefits. Protein—check. Amino acids—check. Veggies—check. And you can get it on the table in under an hour!

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tb. olive oil, plus a bit more to grease pan
  • 2 Tb. flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. poultry seasoning
  • Dash paprika
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • 2 lbs. chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch pieces
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese

Directions:

  • 1

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. Generously grease a square baking dish with olive oil.

  • 2

    In a medium-sized skillet, heat oil and whisk in flour. Continue whisking until mixture bubbles and toasts to a golden-brown color.

  • 3

    Carefully whisk in milk and chicken broth. Continue cooking and whisking until sauce becomes foamy and creamy. Turn off heat and set aside.

  • 4

    In a separate small bowl, combine salt, poultry seasoning, paprika and cayenne then sprinkle over chicken. Set aside.

  • 5

    In the prepared casserole dish, combine the rinsed quinoa with the sauce from step two and prepared bacon. Lay the chicken breasts over the top of the quinoa mixture.

  • 6

    Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until quinoa fully absorbs the liquid.

  • 7

    While the casserole is in the oven, place the broccoli in salted boiling water for 1 minute or until it turns bright green. Strain it in a fine mesh sieve. Run the broccoli under cold water until it’s fully cooled or place the sieve in a large bowl of ice water. Shake off excess water and set aside.

  • 8

    Remove the casserole from the oven. When the quinoa and chicken are cooked and the sauce is thickened, add the broccoli on top followed by cheese. Bake for 5 minutes, then set on broil and continue cooking until the cheese becomes bubbly and golden brown.

  • 9

    Serve immediately.

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