Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare Quinoa & Chicken
- Rinse 1 cup of quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Make Chipotle Sauce
- In the same skillet (no need to clean), add another 1 tbsp olive oil if necessary. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, minced chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt.
Assemble & Bake Casserole
- To the skillet with the sauce, add the cooked chicken, cooked quinoa, rinsed and drained black beans, and drained corn. Stir gently to combine everything thoroughly.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
- Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese and let it melt for a few minutes from the residual heat (or return to oven for 2-3 minutes if needed). Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra spice, add an additional chipotle pepper or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. This casserole is excellent for meal prep; simply store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. You can substitute rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation. Shred 3-4 cups of cooked chicken and add it directly to the sauce in step 5, skipping step 2.
