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Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Recipe

Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 25 reviews

Cheesy Chicken Quinoa is a flavorful and satisfying one-pan meal that combines tender quinoa, seasoned ground chicken, and gooey Oaxaca cheese. This dish is packed with protein, veggies, and a kick of spice, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Quinoa:

  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons neutral oil
  • 1 cup quinoa (rinsed and drained)

For the Chicken Mixture:

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 yellow onion (peeled and small-diced)
  • 2 red or orange bell peppers (trimmed, seeded, and small-diced)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (trimmed and small-diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne powder (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • Pinch sugar (optional)
  • ½ cup cilantro (loosely packed and minced, plus more for serving)
  • 1 lime (juiced)
  • 6 ounces Oaxaca cheese (grated)
  • Sliced jalapeño (optional; for serving)
  • Sour cream (for serving)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook the quinoa: Heat 2 teaspoons neutral oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the rinsed quinoa and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to toast it lightly. Add salt and water, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  2. Brown the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet. Cook ground chicken until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
  3. Cook the aromatics: Add onion, bell peppers, jalapeño to the chicken. Cook until softened. Add garlic, spices, and toss.
  4. Simmer the ground chicken: Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and chicken stock. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Finish the cheesy chicken quinoa: Add cooked quinoa, cilantro, and lime juice to the chicken. Top with Oaxaca cheese and broil until bubbly and browned.
  6. To serve: Garnish with cilantro, sliced jalapeño, sour cream, and lime wedges. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and cayenne.
  • Feel free to add your favorite veggies like corn, peas, or zucchini to the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheesy Chicken Quinoa, One-Pan Meal, Ground Chicken Recipe, Mexican Quinoa Recipe

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/cheesy-chicken-quinoa-recipe/