30 Minute Meal/ One Pan/ Weeknight Meals

Thai Chicken and Quinoa Casserole

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This easy Thai Chicken Casserole with Quinoa is a perfect weeknight meal packed with family friendly flavors. Leftovers reheat well, too!

 

Thai Quinoa Casserole in cast iron skillet with peppers
updated with new pictures on 9/25/18

 

When it comes to weeknight dinners, recipes that makes as few dishes as possible, are ready quickly, and are packed with both flavor and nutrition seem few and far between. Dirty dishes are not my favorite thing. In fact, I would sometimes rather a recipe take longer if it means there are less dishes for me to put in the dishwasher later. That’s the second reason why this recipe is my favorite – it only needs a skillet and a pan, and a few measuring tools. (are you wondering about the number one reason why this recipe is one of my all time favorites? You are going to have to try it and find out!!)

 

Thai Chicken Casserole in bowl on napkin

Thai Chicken and Quinoa Casserole

 

This is an almost one-pot skillet dish (except you need a second pot to cook to quinoa). You can leave the chicken out and make this vegetarian, or you can add it in for a little extra oomph of protein. You can also stir in leftover cooked chicken or shredded pulled pork. Its an easy recipe to customize based on what meat you have on hand. Either way is delicious, and this is definitely easy to make!
I love the combination of flavors – the curry, the coconut milk, the plump little raisins hidden in there. Its so good! And this Pineapple Mango Smoothie would be amazing with it, too!
Interested in adding more Asian flavors to your weeknight meals but not sure how to make it actually doable? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Asian Cuisine for easy tips and recipes that are weeknight and kid-friendly and will help your weeknight meals be a win!

 

Quinoa Casserole in cast iron skillet with wooden spoon

 

How Your Kids Can Cook With You:

  • Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure ingredients, rinse the black beans, and set the table.
  • Kids aged 4-6 can help do everything above, plus help dice the peppers, cilantro and green onions.
  • Kids aged 7-10+ can help do everything above, plus cut the chicken, cook the quinoa, and stir everything together.

*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.

 

Quinao Casserole in bowl with ingredients

 

Books about Thailand to Read with Your Kids:

Because I am such a bookworm myself, and I think there is no easier way to gets interested in things than with books, I always include a great list of books that go along with my recipes.

Jenni Ward/The Gingered Whisk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

 

  • Mela and the Elephant by Ziyue Chen is a cute book that teaches kindness and explores Thai culture.
  • Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho is a charming rhyme where a mother asks all the wildlife around her to say quiet while her baby sleeps.
  • Peek! A Thai Hide and Seek by Minfong Ho has great rhyming text and explores all kinds of animals!
  • Nu Dang and His Kite by Jacqueline Ayer is a cute story about a boy who looses his kite and explores the river with its floating market.

 

Quinoa Casserole in bowl with chicken and beans

 

Print
Thai Chicken Casserole

Thai Chicken Casserole with Quinoa 

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Jenni
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 Servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cast Iron
  • Cuisine: Thai Fusion
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Description

This easy Thai Chicken Casserole with Quinoa is a perfect weeknight meal packed with family friendly flavors. Leftovers reheat well, too!

Ingredients

3/4 cup quinoa

3-4 mini sweet peppers, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained

15 ounces coconut milk

1 cup raisins

2 TBSP coconut oil or olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp curry powder

1/4 tsp cayenne powder

1/4 tsp chili powder

1 cup chopped cilantro, divided

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 cups chopped cooked chicken (you can use leftover, rotisserie, or just skillet cook a few chicken breasts)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Rinse the quinoa and cook according to package directions (7-10 minutes).

While the quinoa is cooking, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.

Add the oil, garlic, peppers, cayenne powder, curry powder, and chili powder, and the white parts of the green onions. Sautee 6 minutes.

Stir in the black beans, coconut milk, raisins, salt, 1/2 cup of the cilantro, chicken and the quinoa.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Top with the green onions and remaining cilantro, serve, and Enjoy!

Keywords: Quinoa Casserole Recipe, Thai Chicken Recipe, Skillet Recipe

Looking for other great Thai flavors? Check out:

 

This easy Thai Chicken Skillet Casserole with Quinoa is a perfect weeknight meal packed with family friendly flavors. Leftovers reheat well, too! #skilletrecipe #quinoacasserole #weeknightmeal
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About

Jenni lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her amazing husband, two girls, two dogs who think they are children, and a feisty cat. She is the creator of The Gingered Whisk, a recipe blog dedicated to finding easy, healthy-ish, and tasty weeknight meals that kids and adults alike will love. She is super passionate about helping every member of a family learn to love great food. When not cooking, eating, or thinking about food, she is often hiking around area parks, creating intricate legos castles with her girls, watching nerdy tv with her husband, or curled up in a corner somewhere reading a good book.

6 Comments

  • Reply
    mickeydownunder
    April 11, 2014 at 6:13 AM

    G'day! I have never cooked or baked with quinoa! It is on my list to do!
    Your recipe sounds delicious!
    Cheers! Joanne
    http://whatsonthelist.net

  • Reply
    K.B. Teo
    May 18, 2014 at 6:38 PM

    Will you let me know how the chicken is made?

  • Reply
    Jordan
    May 20, 2014 at 2:24 AM

    Is there something I could substitute for the coconut milk to make this lower in calories?

  • Reply
    Claudia & Marcus
    July 28, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    Loved it! Delicious!

  • Reply
    Carol Borchardt
    February 14, 2016 at 7:32 PM

    Such a creative combination and it sounds totally delicious!

  • Reply
    Kelly Anthony
    October 7, 2018 at 6:13 PM

    I always forget about quinoa! This sounds like a scrumptious way to eat it! YUMMM!

    ★★★★★

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