Light Asparagus, Chicken Quinoa Bake is healthy and flavorful dinner made with leeks, bacon and sharp white cheddar cheese. This Chicken Asparagus Casserole is an easy recipe the whole family will love!
Chicken Asparagus Casserole
Light Asparagus, Chicken Quinoa Bake is filled with leeks, bacon, asparagus and extra sharp white cheddar for a flavor packed dinner that is so good, you won’t believe it is lightened up! In addition to all the flavorful components, it is packed with lean chicken and the protein packed super food, quinoa.
Quinoa Recipe with Chicken
Along with a homemade sauce, you get a hearty meal heavy on nutrients and light on fat. Much like my other quinoa recipes with chicken like Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bake and Pizza Stuffed Chicken Quinoa Bake, there are no cans of processed cream soups in this recipe!
This meal makes a great make-ahead dinner option. Mix it up, toss it in the refrigerator the night before and you can throw it in the oven when you get home from work the next day. You will have dinner on the table in less than an hour and more time to spend with your family after work!
Healthy Quinoa Bake
Whether you are bringing a meal to a friend or prepping dinner for your spouse when you have to work late, this dinner makes a complete healthy meal everyone will love.
Easy meal prep recipes are my favorite. I rarely have the energy to sit down and make a full meal with the hussle and bussle of two kids. If I can prep something the night before or in the afternoon while they are sleeping it makes all of our lives easier!
Creative Asparagus Recipes
Another reason I love this Chicken Asparagus Casserole so much, is that you can get creative and change up the recipe by swapping out a few ingredients.
Instead of asparagus, try out some broccoli or spinach and give goat cheese or Gruyere a try for a little variety in flavor. I promise you, that after you make this once, you will want to make it again and again!
Quinoa bakes are a healthy and delicious alternative to your Mom’s casseroles, but provide the same comforting meal. This Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bake and Pizza Stuffed Chicken Quinoa Bake are both great takes on this lightened up version of hotdish.
More Recipes using Chicken and Quinoa!
- Buffalo Chicken & Quinoa Veggie Bowls
- Asparagus & Feta Quinoa Salad
- Crock Pot Chicken, Quinoa & Roasted Garlic Soup
- Harvest Chicken Quinoa Salad
- One Pot Mexican Quinoa
- Chicken Cacciatore Quinoa Bake
Light Asparagus, Chicken Quinoa Bake
Ingredients
- 1 c. chicken broth
- 1/2 c. Masa corn flour substitute all-purpose flour
- 2 c. milk
- 1 Tbsp. Roasted Garlic Montreal Chicken seasoning
- 3/4 c. uncooked quinoa
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut in small strips
- 1/2 c. cooked bacon crumbled
- 1/2 c. leeks chopped
- 1 1/2 c. asparagus cut in 2" pieces
- 2/3 c. extra sharp white cheddar shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°.
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, whisk together the chicken broth and flour until smooth and cook for a minute. Add the milk and garlic seasoning and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until thickened.
- In a large bowl, fold together the sauce with the quinoa, chicken, bacon, leeks and asparagus and pour into a 10"x10" sprayed baking dish.
- Top with the shredded cheese and bake for 40-50 minutes covered until the quinoa is sprouted and the chicken is no longer pink. Serve immediately.
Niki says
I love this recipe! It’s definitely a family favorite! I saw where I can make ahead, but was curious if this would be a good freezer meal option?
Danielle Green says
Yes, you can freeze this uncooked! Assemble it, but I would leave out the asparagus and add it fresh when baking.
Sue M says
I made the Bake for my Dad and Sister last night as a “try something new” experiment.
I put it together almost exactly as written except I substituted Chicago Steak seasoning for the Montreal Garlic. I added a tad more asparagus – about 2 cups total. I didn’t know what 1/2 cup of bacon meant in terms of slices so I guessed at 6 slices.
I baked the dish covered for 40 minutes on the middle rack and it was soupy – I was a tad concerned. I removed the cover, lowered the dish to the bottom rack, and baked it an additional 12 minutes and that took care of any concerns I had as to consistency. It was light and fluffy and tasty. We all enjoyed it very much. I will definitely make it again.
Carolyn says
We loved this meal! I made it with faux chicken because I didn’t have any of the real stuff on hand, but I am excited to try it again for a potluck next week. I couldn’t find leeks, so I used a whole bunch of green onions. Next time, I’ll add even more! I also put a little bit of extra mozzarella cheese on top in addition to the sharp white cheddar. Have you every mixed cheese into the casserole itself? I wonder how that would impact the flavor?
For me, the consistency was perfect. Not at all soupy, but a very pleasant, creamy texture. The perfect comfort food, lightened up!
Julie says
This was such a light and refreshing dinner. The whole family loved it!
Megan says
We loved this! Even my picky husband went back for seconds. So creamy and delicious!
Alison LaFortune says
Looks like a filling meal! Love the flavors here.
Malinda Linnebur says
This was such an easy meal to make and everyone loved it! Thanks!
Sarah says
I made this last night and it was great. I used regular flour and onions because that’s what I had. I also added mushrooms. It turned out great! Will definitely make it again! It wasn’t soupy at all but I never covered it while baking
Courtney Butcher says
this is one of my go-to recipes. I’ve used tons of different types of veggies and cheese and it’s turned out great. it’s really amazing.
Danielle Green says
Happy to hear you have been able to adapt it with different ingredients!
Courtney Butcher says
this is one of my go-to recipes. I’ve used tons of different types of veggies and cheese and it’s turned out great. it’s really amazing.
Melanie says
I make this all the time & it turns out fabulous every time! I usually use turkey bacon but follow the rest of the recipe exactly. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Danielle Green says
Thrilled that you enjoy it so often!
April says
This is so so good!!!
April says
This is so so good!!!
Elizabeth says
I sure wish you that put “cooked” or “raw” chicken in the ingredients list. I think I screwed my casserole up using raw. I wasn’t thinking. I also used millet instead of quinoa and it was a total disaster. Such a waste
Danielle Green says
Hi Elizabeth, it should have been raw chicken cut in small strips which will fully cook in the 40-50 minutes while it bakes. As for the millet, I’ve never cooked with it so I can’t speak to that substitution. Sorry it didn’t work out for you.
Elizabeth says
I sure wish you that put “cooked” or “raw” chicken in the ingredients list. I think I screwed my casserole up using raw. I wasn’t thinking. I also used millet instead of quinoa and it was a total disaster. Such a waste
Anna Powell says
Wow. this looks delish with quinoa. thanks for the recipe.
Danielle Green says
Thanks Anna, it is a great healthy dish!
Rebecca says
I made this exactly per the recipe and it came out great! I did leave it uncovered for half the cooking time, then covered. I was a little squeemish about the chicken being raw, but it turned out perfectly! Great quick, healthy recipe.
Danielle says
I’m glad you enjoyed it Rebecca!
Rebecca says
I made this exactly per the recipe and it came out great! I did leave it uncovered for half the cooking time, then covered. I was a little squeemish about the chicken being raw, but it turned out perfectly! Great quick, healthy recipe.
Angela says
I just made your recipe and it is AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for sharing – my husband who is allergic to anything healthy is having his second helping!
Danielle says
Haha that makes me so happy to hear Angela!
Rebecca says
Followed exactly, except cooking. Did not cover first half, and used a 9×13. Cooked absolutely perfectly in 35-40 minutes, not soupy at all! Next time will add brocolli and fresh herbs, but will definitely make again! Easy and tasty.
Danielle - The Creative Bite says
Happy to hear you enjoyed it!