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Healthy meets indulgent in this Cheesy Quinoa Mexican Casserole. Mix cooked quinoa with homemade enchilada sauce, black beans, chicken, and of course, plenty of cheese. Pop into the oven until bubbly and hot, and it’s ready to go! Easy to throw together, can be made ahead and a surefire win for family dinners.
For more easy quinoa dishes check out this, Quinoa Fried “Rice,” this Quinoa Pad Thai, and these Hawaiian Quinoa Bowls.
Can’t stop, won’t stop creating riffs on classic chicken enchiladas.
It’s become an insatiable appetite that I can no longer control. How many dishes do you think I can turn into a chicken enchilada?? It started with these Chicken Enchilada Empanadas, next, I went classic with these traditional enchiladas, and then I went way off the beaten path with this Chicken Enchilada Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust. All full of classic chicken enchilada flavors, but all radically different – and today is no exception.
Here’s what’s happening: Toss cooked quinoa with homemade (or store-bought) enchilada sauce, shredded chicken (rotisserie all the way!), black beans, onions, and garlic, layer with cheese and bake! It’s the perfect heart-healthy way to get your enchilada fix without all the nasty white-flour carbs.
- Sauté onion, garlic, salt, chili powder and cumin. Turn the heat on medium and cook until onions are softened, about five minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss together chicken, quinoa, veggies, black beans, enchilada sauce and 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
- Transfer to baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake until hot and cheese is melted, about 30-35 minutes.
- Scoop everything into bowls, top with light sour cream, avocado and lots of fresh cilantro.
Do I have to use quinoa??
I’d say yes on this. I haven’t tested it with anything else, but if you do want to venture into something else. Farro, barley or brown rice may work.
Do you have a great recipe for enchilada sauce?
YES! There is no shame in buying enchilada sauce here, but if you want to make it yourself, do it. This is my very favorite enchilada sauce. It’s the perfect combination of tang, spice, and smokiness.
Substitutions and Tips and Tricks for Recipe Success
- Swap out shredded chicken for leftover fajita chicken, chopped shrimp, or ground turkey.
- Leave out the meat altogether and double the amount of beans for a vegetarian version.
- Be sure to rinse the quinoa thoroughly before cooking! This will get rid of any bitterness the quinoa may have.
- If you can’t find low-fat Mexican cheese, use an equal part of low-fat mozzarella and low-fat cheddar.
For more quinoa bakes, check out these posts:
BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole: Gimme Some Oven
Leftover Baked Quinoa and Chili Eggs: Bacon + Egg + Cheesecake
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers: Pickled Plum
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Bake
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ¼ cups low-fat Mexican cheese, shredded (or 1/2 cup mozzarella and 3/4 cup low-fat cheddar)
- avocado, sour cream and cilantro for garnish
Equipment
- casserole dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a small sauté pan, add oil, onion, garlic, salt, chili powder and cumin. Turn the heat on medium and cook until onions are softened, about five minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss together chicken, quinoa, veggies, black beans, enchilada sauce and 3/4 cup shredded cheese. Transfer to baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake until hot and cheese is melted, about 30-35 minutes.
- Serve with low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, and cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Delicious and healthy. What a great dish to add to my weekly menu. I bet the whole family would enjoy it.
Have a beautiful Monday!
Nicole says
Thank you so much Melanie!! You too!
Alaina {Fabtastic Eats} says
I AM excited! Mexican food is my favorite! And the healthy version? Even better! Love this!
Nicole says
Thanks chica!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I am Can’t Stop Wont Stopping with you! This looks so dang good girlfriend! All that cheese….and I love the whole equal quinoa and chicken – you’re right, I don’t want no mouth of bland quinoa! Pinned!
Nicole says
Hahaahaha Thanks my dear!
Sarah @ Running On Brie says
I’m always looking for ways to sneak quinoa into my family dinners…can’t think of a better way than chicken enchiladas! Brilliant! They look really tasty…
Nicole says
Well this will do it!! My husband who hates quinoa love this!! Thanks so much Sarah!
Mademoiselle Gourmande says
This looks absolutely gorgeous! So mouthwatering, never thought about anything with cheese when it comes to quinoa, but I love this recipe!
Nicole says
Thank you so much!
Ashley says
Please don’t stop coming up with different ways to make things like chicken enchiladas!! I am loving this bake! So funny enough I just bought some of the tri-color quinoa at Trader Joe’s last week … and lo and behold I actually like it! I usually am not the biggest quinoa fan but that stuff … maybe it’s the different colors : ) haha And now I need to go make an enchilada bake!
Nicole says
Like I could ever stop?! 🙂 I swear Ashley, we are like little food soul mates! 🙂 It’s crazy how our foodie minds think alike. I agree – it totally tasted better than normal quinoa!
Sam @ Sugar Spun Run says
I love that you used quinoa in this, it looks fantastic! And so flavorful, I will have to try this 🙂
Nicole says
Thank you Sam!
Kelly says
This looks incredible Nicole! My husband is obsessed with chicken enchiladas so it is always on our weekly dinner rotation but I keep looking for new ways to make it and your quinoa bake sounds perfect! I love this healthier twist and the fact that I can get my husband to eat more quinoa and actually like it – totally pinning and haha yes, please don’t stop:)
Nicole says
Thanks Kelly!! We are SO obsessed with chicken enchiladas as well, this is a nice change of pace!! Thank you so much!
sue/the view from great island says
Don’t ever stop — keep ’em coming! I love your cooking style, I think you’ve found the perfect balance between healthy and delicious!
Nicole says
Thank you Sue!!! What a compliment!!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Plan on making this soon, I love cooking with quinoa 😀
Nicole says
Thanks Christin!