Our crockpot chicken quinoa recipe is a healthy slow cooker recipe your family is sure to love. Bright Mexican flavors blend perfectly forming a delicious family-friendly healthy crockpot meal.
Slow cooker recipes make getting a healthy dinner on the table super simple. This delicious crockpot quinoa recipe needs to be printed and saved for a day when you have 5 minutes to make dinner before heading out the door.
Utilizing canned foods and only requiring you to shred the chicken before serving, you can make this healthy crockpot recipe in a flash!
This is a one-pot meal that combines chicken, tomatoes, black beans and corn with a savory seasoning topped off with sharp cheddar cheese. The addition of quinoa adds a heartiness to the recipe that allows you to feed any size appetite. The great part about this crockpot meal is that it requires very minimal meal prep to prepare!
If you’re searching for a healthy slow-cooker meal that the entire family will love, this is the one for you along with Slow Cooker Chunky Vegetable Soup and Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks. As an added bonus, the ingredients in these recipes make for great healthy crockpot meals on a budget!
What Chicken is Best for the Crockpot?
When it comes to slow cooking, certain cuts of chicken are better suited for the long cooking process. First and foremost, you want to use fresh chicken, not frozen when cooking in a slow cooker. Since we are looking to shred the chicken before serving, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
Compared to bone-in, skin-on cuts of chicken, boneless, skinless chicken cuts tend to dry out more easily. To prevent this, it’s advisable to cook for a shorter time or to ensure they’re fully submerged in flavorful liquids, such as sauces or broths. In this case, ensure the chicken is covered with the enchilada sauce and diced tomatoes.
Regardless of the cut you choose, a crockpot meal with chicken offers convenience, tenderness, and a delightful blend of flavors.
We are excited to partner with Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market, a store we’ve proudly supported for years. When shopping in-store or online for pickup, I find that their Kroger and Simple Truth brands ensure quality and savings, adding an extra layer of assurance for families. Create Kids Club values wholesome choices and delicious meals, and our collaboration creates an ideal platform for affordable, quality living.
Ingredients
- Chicken
- Quinoa – pick between white, red, yellow, black or tricolor. Quinoa is known to be bitter but this issue can easily be solved by rinsing in a fine mesh strainer before incorporating into a recipe.
- Diced tomatoes
- Enchilada sauce
- Water
- Black beans & corn – you will want to drain the corn but not the black beans. The liquid from the beans helps to add a rich flavor to the meal.
- Diced green chilies
- Onion
- Spices – we use a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt to season this dish. To simplify even further, you could swap with a taco seasoning packet.
- Shredded cheese – sharp cheddar cheese complements the flavors in this dish extremely well. Pepper jack, Monterey jack, and mild cheddar are options as well.
How To Make
This one-pot wonder promises to be a lifesaver, effortlessly blending convenience with the wholesome goodness your family deserves.
In your slow cooker, add 1 pound of chicken breasts, 2 cups of dry quinoa, a can of diced tomatoes (28 ounces), enchilada sauce (14 ounces), water (1 cup), black beans (15 ounces), drained corn kernels (15 ounces), diced green chilies (4 ounces), a diced onion, and a trio of spices: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and a dash of salt. Give the ingredients a stir then cover.
Now, let the magic unfold. Opt for the high setting for 2-3 hours, or choose the low setting for 6-8 hours if time is on your side.
Once done, remove the chicken and shred or chop then place it back into the slow cooker.
Add a cup of shredded sharp cheddar into the mix. Stir it in, and watch as the cheese transforms this dish into a creamy, comforting masterpiece. It’s the secret ingredient that turns this meal from a weekday solution to a family favorite.
In no time, you’ve conjured up a nutritious, crowd-pleasing dinner that not only nourishes and makes enough for leftovers. Serve it up with pride, knowing you’ve conquered the kitchen chaos and delivered a meal that’s as delightful as it is hassle-free.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Don’t want to use chicken breasts? You could use boneless chicken thighs, boneless pork chops, or even a beef roast to make a completely different experience.
- You could cook this recipe without the chicken and add leftover shredded or rotisserie chicken at the end as well.
- Add vegetables! Flavored with tomatoes and corn, do not hesitate to elevate the flavor profile by tossing in your favorite vegetables or the veggies piled in your produce drawer. From broccoli and cauliflower to mushrooms and zucchini, you can add a nutritious boost to this already flavorful quinoa meal.
- Easily make ahead by preparing a batch of this simple quinoa recipe to store in the fridge then reheat during the week for either lunch or dinner.
- Turn into a chicken quinoa bowl by scooping into a serving dish then topping with shredded lettuce, Pico de Gallo, more shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or avocado slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quinoa is a versatile grain-like seed that pairs wonderfully with a variety of ingredients both savory and sweet. Its mild, nutty flavor and fluffy texture makes it an excellent base whether served with vegetables or other proteins like baked pork chops, air-fryer salmon or juicy beef tips. Best of all, quinoa soaks up the flavors of any dish so you can enhance the overall taste profile by mixing in fresh cilantro, cumin, or garlic.
Nope! You do not need to precook the quinoa, it cooks in the crockpot.
The cooking time does not need to be adjusted. Simply add the additional ingredients then cook with the same time as a single batch.
Storage Instructions
Whether you are storing leftovers or the entire recipe after making in advance, store in the fridge for up to 5 days. After the 5th day, you will want to discard or place in the freezer.
Freezer Instructions
Just like any of these 10 Healthy Crockpot Meals, this quinoa recipe with chicken makes for a great freezer meal. You can store in a Ziploc bag (lay flat in the freezer to save space) or in a freezer safe container.
There are two tips to remember when freezing meals – always label the bag or container with the “best-by” date and wait until the recipe has fully cooled before storing.
Reheating Leftovers
When it comes to reheating this quinoa chicken in the microwave, there are a few key considerations to ensure the best results. First, transfer the desired portion of the recipe to a microwave-safe dish, making sure it’s evenly distributed. To prevent dryness, you can splash a little broth or water over the casserole.
Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to retain moisture during the heating process. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring the dish occasionally, to ensure even heating. Be careful not to overcook it, as this may result in rubbery chicken or uneven heated portions.
Once heated through, allow it to rest for a minute or two before serving, as this allows the flavors to meld together. We recommend topping with extra shredded cheese before serving to turn these leftovers into a highly requested meal.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- If you haven’t had quinoa before, it is pronounced “keen-wah”. It is an edible seed that comes in a variety of colors – white, red, yellow, black and tricolor. Every cup is packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. Quinoa is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free and vegetarian to make it an outstanding allergen-free option.
- The chicken should easily shred either by tossing into a Kitchenaid or by using two forks to pull the chicken apart. If you are struggling to shred the chicken, let the recipe cook a little while longer.
- If you are wondering what to serve with chicken quinoa, think taco toppings! From fresh lettuce and tomatoes to salsa and sour cream, you can top this casserole just like you would a taco. You can also serve this recipe as is without any toppings or sides for a wholesome meal that everyone will enjoy.
More Quinoa Crockpot Recipes
- Slow Cooker Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Crockpot Chicken and Quinoa Burrito Bowl
- Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Crockpot Chicken Quinoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts ✅
- 2 cups dry quinoa
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 14 ounces enchilada sauce ✅
- 1 cup water
- 15 ounces black beans ✅
- 15 ounces corn kernels, drained ✅
- 4 ounces diced green chilies ✅
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder ✅
- 1 tablespoon cumin ✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar ✅
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Add all ingredients, except the cheese, into the crockpot or slow cooker.1 pound chicken breasts, 2 cups dry quinoa, 28 ounces diced tomatoes, 14 ounces enchilada sauce, 1 cup water, 15 ounces black beans, 15 ounces corn kernels, drained, 4 ounces diced green chilies, 1 medium onion, diced, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Cook. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- ⭐️ Shred the chicken and add cheese. Once cooked, shred chicken then stir cheese into the casserole.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
Video
Notes
- Don’t want to use chicken breasts? You could use boneless chicken thighs, boneless pork chops, or even a beef roast to make a completely different experience.
- You could cook this recipe without the chicken and add leftover shredded or rotisserie chicken at the end as well.
- Add vegetables! Flavored with tomatoes and corn, do not hesitate to elevate the flavor profile by tossing in your favorite vegetables or the veggies piled in your produce drawer. From broccoli and cauliflower to mushrooms and zucchini, you can add a nutritious boost to this already flavorful quinoa meal.
- Easily make ahead by preparing a batch of this simple quinoa recipe to store in the fridge then reheat during the week for either lunch or dinner.
- Turn into a chicken quinoa bowl by scooping into a serving dish then topping with shredded lettuce, Pico de Gallo, more shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or avocado slices.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!
Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
Janita Taylor says
Thanks Jodi, the dish turned out great, I had already decided to use 1 cup of corn. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I took it to a church potluck today and it was wonderful. I am planning to fix it again later this week and think I will try a green chili enchilata sauce this time.
Jodi Danen says
That is great to hear Janita! I love your idea to use green enchilada sauce. I may have to try that as well 🙂
Janita Taylor says
I fixed this again using green sauce and liked it even better than with traditional red sauce. One thing I modified was that I doubled the green chilies and didn’t add any water. The consistency was great and I think it would have been a bit runny with the water.
Jodi Danen says
That is great, Janita! I actually just remade this recipe myself this week. The consistency was perfect with the water, the quinoa soaked it all up 🙂 I love the extra green chilies, I will have to give that a try.
Yum Girl says
Welcome to Yum Goggle! We are following you on all your social media and we hope you follow us back. We will try our best to tag you each time we promote your posts. Kelli at YG>
Jodi Danen says
Sure did! Thanks Kelli 🙂
Jennifer St Louis says
It sounds really good. I’m looking forward to trying it.
Jodi Danen says
Even my picky husband loves this recipe. He has no idea he is eating quinoa:) I hope you enjoy!
Michelle S. says
I have a quinoa and black bean recipe which is similar in ingredients without the chicken or diced tomatoes or crock pot for that matter and all of my family members love it. In fact, my son even requests that I make it! It is always nice when you find a healthy recipe that everyone likes!
Jodi Danen says
That is for sure, Michelle! It doesn’t happen as often I as I would like here at my house, so those recipes are keepers!
Annette Daly says
I love spicy food and am having fun trying out new quinoa recipes. I made a spinach quinoa salad yesterday that was so fresh. Your slow cooker mexican dish does look delish!
Jodi Danen says
Thank you, Annette! It really is delish. If I can get it past my 7 year old and husband, that is saying something:)
Erin says
I just made this and it is a fantastic recipe! I thought I had green chiles, but I guess I bought jalapeños instead, so I substituted those, and I used chicken stock in place of the water. I also had this lovely tri-colored quinoa I’ve been meaning to use up. Honestly, I already had everything in the pantry except for the chicken and onion, so this was a good pantry clean out recipe as well.
Jodi Danen says
I totally agree, Erin! I love using up things that are laying around, and this recipe works so well to add some extras to. I am thrilled you liked it as much as my family did:) Thanks for sharing!
Audre says
Make stir fry rice with quinoa it works great. And i make lemon pudding no recipe just mix quinoa lemon sugar little cream. Chilli use your favorite recipe and add quinoa. I font use meat but my grandson perfers ground turkey ir hamburger mix in
Create Kids Club says
These are great ideas Audre! I love your suggestion of using quinoa in a stir fry!
Eilish says
Hi, this looks great-going to try it this weekend. Do you put in the chicken breast whole or chop them up?
Create Kids Club says
Awesome ! I put them in whole, and shred once they are cooked! Good luck!! ?
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
Yum! I make something very similar to this and we LOVE it. I’m all about crockpot meals this time of year; I love the convenience of it.
Create Kids Club says
Me too, Chrissy! There never seems to be time for more than crock pot meals!
Emily | EmPowered Nutrition says
I love Mexican inspired meals & I love my crockpot! So fast, easy, & delicious!
Create Kids Club says
So needed for busy nights! 🙂
ilkasblog says
This is such a super tasty looking casserole! I think it’s perfect for family weeknight dinners!! Yum! Pinning!
abbey sharp says
This looks soooo hearty and delicious! I have tried quinoa with my husband and we both love it. I’m totally loving your mexican style feel to it.
Create Kids Club says
Thanks Abbey! It was the first time I got both my kids and hubby to actually eat quinoa, Mexican food for the win!
Cassandra says
I’m addicted to my slow cooker this time of year. There’s nothing better than coming home, smelling that awesome meal and knowing dinner is ready! I love the addition of quinoa instead of rice in this dish.
Create Kids Club says
I 100% agree Cassandra! And the quinoa works really well here, and I love that it doesn’t need to be pre-cooked 🙂
xtinaluvspink says
Yum! I have a similar dish, but vegetarian and baked in the oven. I’ll have to try it out in the slow cooker for those busy days.
Create Kids Club says
This one would be really good without the chicken too 🙂
Kristin says
This looks amazing! My husband had a Mexican quinoa casserole at a potluck once and wanted me to get recipe. This would be great – thanks!!
Create Kids Club says
Your welcome Kristin! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
carmyy says
This sounds delicious! I’ve been trying to get my SO to get more quinoa in his diet too!
Create Kids Club says
This was the recipe that got mine eating quinoa :). No one seemed to notice it was in there :). Good Luck!
Melissa (@melissagabbs) says
I love one pot meals – they make getting dinner on the table so easy on busy days! Even better that it uses the crock pot, no cooking!
Create Kids Club says
Me too, Melissa! I love that you can toss everything into this recipe and then leave it all day. Not much better than that!
Autumn says
I only have ground chicken, I’m worried it will be too dry? Should I pre-cook the meat and add at the end?
Create Kids Club says
Hi Autumn! Yes, I think that would probably be a good option. You could try just pre-cooking the meat before adding it to the crock pot with all the ingredients. I don’t think it would end up to dry. If it looks dry at the end you could always add a bit of chicken broth, another can of diced tomatoes, or even a bit more water to add moisture. Let me know which way you go and how it turns out! 🙂
BryMatt says
How much is 1 serving?
Create Kids Club says
Hi Bryan – I use 1 cup as a serving size for this casserole. I hope you give it a try 🙂 I’d love to hear how you like it if you do!
Samantha says
When do you add the refried beans? On the side or in the crockpot?
Create Kids Club says
Hi Samantha! There are no refried beans in the ingredients, but they would make a delicious side dish! I hope you enjoy!
Mary says
The perfect way to try quinoa.
Sannah Evangelista says
I have made this several times for pot luck and I always go home with a cleaned out crock pot and numerous requests for the recipe! Thank you for a simple healthy fabulous recipe!
Create Kids Club says
Thank you so much for sharing this with me Sannah. It made my day! If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to rate the recipe on the blog post. This small act really helps me out! I hope you give some of the other recipes on Create Kids Club a try too! 🙂
Jessica says
This is definitely one of my fav family crock pot meals to make! It’s so good, and makes great leftovers for lunch at work the next day. We’ve made it plenty of times, and it just gets better!
I didn’t save the recipe though, and scrolling through the post I can’t find the recipe. Am I just missing it? I want to add it to this week’s meal plan, but can’t remember the instructions 🙁
Create Kids Club says
Hi Jessica! I am thrilled to hear you enjoy the recipe! I recently converted all the recipes over to a new recipe service and it looks like this one got messed up in the process – I really appreciate you reaching out to let me know! I have updated the recipe and instructions. I’d love for you to leave a star rating if you don’t mind! Thanks so very much 🙂
Gabriël says
Amazing recipe, thank you. Perfect for a bachelor like myself who doesn’t have the time to cook daily. I was wondering, though, should I add any water? The recipe doesn’t state so, but it is brought up in the comments.
Create Kids Club says
Great catch Gabriel!! In the process of transferring recipes to a new layout, I think the water got missed. I updated the recipe to reflect the change – thank you for letting me know! I hope you enjoy the dish!
Marcy says
I have an incredibly picky group of teenagers and 2 year old grand baby to feed and they all loved this recipe. I haven’t had anything disappear this quickly in a long time! Thanks so much for making it available to us ?
Create Kids Club says
I am thrilled to hear this, Marcy! Picky teens + a 2-year-old?! That’s awesome – Thank you for sharing!
Sarah says
My favorite crock pot recipe, ever. Just perfect. I, too, always use green enchilada sauce per one of the comments. I’ve actually never tried it with red because I liked the green version so much. I could literally eat this every day. Thank you for creating it!
Create Kids Club says
Sarah – you made my day! Thanks for the kind words, and the encouragement to try the green enchilada sauce myself! I use it in one of my enchilada recipes on the blog and it really is delicious!
Mitchi Anne says
I was wondering what changes to the cook time there would be if I changed the quinoa out for rice! I’m not much of a quinoa person myself but this recipe sounds delish.
Create Kids Club says
If you use regular rice (not the 10-minute rice) I think you could leave it the same. I’d love for you to let me know how it works if you try it!
PaigeM says
Hi, Do you add the liquids with the canned vegetables? Also, will regular quinoa (not white) work? The quinoa is not precooked right? I want to be nice and think like in the picture.
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Paige! You only drain the corn and keep the liquid from the rest. Any kind of quinoa would work, and yes, it’s not cooked, just add it dry. I’d love to hear how it goes! 🙂
RMartha says
The flavor of this recipe is incredible. I did sub green enchilada sauce only because they were out of green chilis at the store. My only complaint is that the texture was kind of “bowl of mush.” It doesn’t stop me from loving it, but my picky husband couldn’t get past that. Definitely plan on troubleshooting that issue (less cook time? Add the quinoa at the end?) but would still make it again and eat the whole thing by myself!
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Martha! I wonder if the green enchilada sauce added too much liquid making it mushier? My other suggestion would be to not over stir. That could also make the quinoa a bit mushier. To completely avoid any of these, you could precook the quinoa and stir it in at the end of cook time. I’m glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Martha says
Thanks for the suggestions! I think I’ll try adding it at the end – will let you know how it works out!
Martha says
Meant to give it 5 stars!
beylikdüzü masaj salonu says
I appreciate the authenticity and vulnerability you bring to your writing.
Pam says
When should I add already cooked and shredded chicken? – Pam
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Pam! You can either heat it separately and stir it in at the end, or stir it in about 30 minutes before you want to eat to let it heat in the crockpot. I hope you enjoy!