Savory Chicken Alfredo Quinoa Casserole: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dish

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of oil pressed from sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup of onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of garlic, minced
• 2 cups of quinoa grains
• 2 tablespoons of chicken bouillon seasoning
• 4 cups of water for cooking
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of freshly chopped thyme leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of freshly chopped parsley leaves
• 2 cans of drained chicken chunks, each weighing 5 ounces
• 2 cups of creamy Alfredo sauce
• 1 can of chicken soup, weighing 10.75 ounces
• 1/4 cup of butter, cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup of a blend of shredded Italian cheeses, divided
• 1 1/2 cups of pita chips, crushed
• 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

Step 1

Begin by warming sunflower oil in a skillet on medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onion is just beginning to soften, which usually takes about 5 minutes. Next, introduce the quinoa and chicken bouillon to the mix. Keep stirring occasionally as the quinoa toasts to a lovely golden hue, typically around 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 2

Once the quinoa is toasted, pour water over the mixture and bring it to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet, lower the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. As it simmers, add a touch of thyme and parsley to infuse delightful herbal notes. Let it simmer a bit more until the water is fully absorbed, giving it that perfect fluffy texture. Finally, remove the skillet from the heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork.

Step 3

As the quinoa finishes cooking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to get it ready for the next step. Spread the cooked quinoa evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer the chicken on top of the quinoa, followed by a generous dollop of Alfredo sauce and cream of chicken soup. Dot the top with butter pieces for a rich, creamy finish. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of Italian cheese blend over the entire dish for that gooey, cheesy goodness.

Step 4

Pop the dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for about 15 minutes. After the initial bake, stir the mixture gently and press it down with the back of a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle some pita chips and the remaining 1/4 cup of Italian cheese blend on top. Continue baking until the cheese is perfectly melted, usually for an additional 15 minutes. Once done, allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes before adding a final touch of Parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy your delectable creation!