Are you ready to take your taste buds on an epic, flavor-packed adventure? This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake is about to blow your mind with its incredible combination of smoky, spicy, and utterly delicious ingredients. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise as we dive into this sensational, revolutionary dish!
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake
This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake is the ultimate comfort food with a bold, mouth-watering twist. The smoky, spicy chipotle flavors perfectly complement the tender, juicy chicken and the nutty, fluffy quinoa, creating a dish that is both incredibly satisfying and insanely delicious. With its amazing texture and explosive flavor profile, this bake is sure to become a new family favorite that will have your taste buds dancing with excitement. Prepare to be wowed by this revolutionary dish that’s about to take your dinner game to the next level!
Ingredients
Get ready to stock up on some incredible, flavor-packed ingredients for this Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake! You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, quinoa, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, onion, bell peppers, and a few other simple staples. Trust me, when you combine all of these amazing flavors, it’s going to be an absolute flavor explosion in your mouth!
- 1 cup – Quinoa, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 pound – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
- 2-3 tablespoons – Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon – Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon – Ground cumin
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 medium – Onion, diced
- 1 medium – Red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium – Green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup – Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Crushed tortilla chips, for garnish
Ingredient Substitutions
- Quinoa: You can easily swap it out for your favorite whole grain, like brown rice or farro.
- Spice Level: If you’re not into spicy foods, you can adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to your taste. But I highly recommend going all-in on the smoky, spicy goodness – it’s what makes this dish so incredibly epic and revolutionary!
How to Make Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake
Now it’s time to bring the flavor EXPLOSION! Let’s dive into the step-by-step process for creating this sensational, revolutionary dish.
Step 1: Prep Work
Let’s start by getting all of our delicious ingredients ready to go. First, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions and set it aside. Then, dice the onion and bell peppers, and mince the garlic. Finally, grab those chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and get ready to bring the heat!
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large skillet, sauté the onions and bell peppers until they’re nice and tender. Then, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Next, add the diced chicken and sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cumin, and a generous amount of those smoky, spicy chipotle peppers. Let the chicken sear and simmer until it’s cooked through and packed with incredible flavor.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the chicken is cooked, it’s time to bring this epic dish together. Grab a large baking dish and layer the cooked quinoa on the bottom. Top it with the smoky, spicy chicken and vegetable mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Pop it in the oven and let the flavors meld and the cheese melt into ooey-gooey, mouth-watering goodness.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
When the Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake comes out of the oven, it’s time to add the final touches. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a drizzle of adobo sauce, and a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips for an epic, crave-worthy crunch. Get ready for your taste buds to be absolutely SHATTERED by the incredible flavors of this revolutionary dish!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spice It Up!: Add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños to kick the heat up even more.
- Creamy Twist: For a creamier texture, stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- Swap the Protein: You can swap out the chicken for ground turkey or plant-based protein for a vegetarian twist.
- Extra Toppings: Try topping the bake with sliced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, and a drizzle of spicy crema for an over-the-top flavor experience.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: A fresh green salad or some roasted veggies would be the perfect accompaniment to let the Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake shine. And don’t forget to have some crusty bread on hand to soak up every last bit of that incredible, mouth-watering sauce!
Storage: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, and you can even freeze individual portions for a quick and easy meal on the go.
Reheat: You can reheat this dish in the oven, on the stovetop, or even in the microwave for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Make-Ahead: This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake is the perfect make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish up to 3 days in advance and simply bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake is not only insanely delicious, but it’s also packed with nutritious ingredients that will fuel your body and leave you feeling satisfied. With lean protein from the chicken, fiber-rich quinoa, and a variety of nutrient-dense vegetables, this dish is a true powerhouse of flavor and nourishment. Each serving delivers a generous amount of protein, complex carbs, and essential vitamins and minerals to keep you energized and feeling your best. Get ready to devour this epic, revolutionary meal and feel the incredible, explosive flavors take your taste buds on the ride of their life!
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 40 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! You can definitely swap out the chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as chicken breasts can dry out more easily than thighs.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake is the perfect make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish up to 3 days in advance and simply bake it when you’re ready to serve. Just be sure to cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to pop it in the oven.
What should I serve with this bake?
This dish is a true flavor powerhouse, so I recommend keeping the sides simple. A fresh green salad or some roasted veggies would be the perfect accompaniment to let the Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake shine. And don’t forget to have some crusty bread on hand to soak up every last bit of that incredible, mouth-watering sauce!
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make this a delicious vegetarian dish, simply swap out the chicken for your favorite plant-based protein, like tofu, tempeh, or a meat alternative. You can also load it up with even more veggies for a truly epic, flavor-packed meatless meal.
How spicy is this dish?
The level of spice in this Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake can be adjusted to your personal preference. Start with a smaller amount of the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and add more to taste. If you’re sensitive to heat, you can also use a milder chili powder or paprika in place of the smoky, spicy chipotle.
Try These Next
- Smoky Chipotle Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese Bake
- Loaded Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese Bake
- Creamy Chicken And Bacon Pasta Bake For Cozy Nights
Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Quinoa Bake is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, smoky chipotle seasoning, and nutritious quinoa, all baked to perfection.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, diced
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn, frozen or canned
1 cup diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large skillet, cook the diced chicken over medium heat until browned.
3. Add the quinoa, chicken broth, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, chipotle sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
4. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with foil.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and sprinkle cheese on top if using.
7. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in chipotle sauce for a few hours before cooking.
Serve with avocado slices and fresh cilantro for garnish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken, quinoa, bake, chipotle, dinner