My kids love Mexican food and this quinoa chicken chili recipe is one of the ways I can get quinoa into them. Personally, I love quinoa more than pasta, but I understand not everyone is a weirdo like me.
This dish is also great for all chili lovers as it is ready in under 45 minutes. If you plan ahead, you can also make healthy turkey chili or another very popular recipe of mine crockpot buffalo chicken chili (surprisingly my kids don’t find it spicy and prefer to a regular chili).
You may also love to browse all nine of my healthy chili recipes!
But if you are looking for a comforting meal that is both quick and flavourful, this quinoa chicken chili skillet skillet is for you. Especially, if you are scrambling what to make for dinner on a busy weeknight.
How to Make Quinoa Chicken Chili
Everything cooks in one pan. Just move chicken over to one side of the skillet and proceed with cooking bell peppers on the other side. If you choose a large deep skillet, like this one, and place the empty portion of the skillet directly over heat, you will see that there is no need to remove cooked chicken in a separate bowl and adding it back later.
This recipe makes a lot. For 3 1/2 of us, we had plenty of leftovers the next day. So, if cooking for 2, cut recipe in half or freeze in portions. I love to freeze meals as I barely buy anything processed (except occasional pizza for kids). So, if I say my fridge is empty, it really is empty. Welcome to the world of real food, the way it should be! 90% of frozen foods contain GMOs that are linked to cancer, autism and many other devastating human lives diseases. I refuse to be a lab rat!
What do we eat when “fridge is empty”? There are always ingredients for a smoothie, a salad, quick eggs, PB toast or a good old pasta with butter – my kids’ favourite. Real food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Be healthy!
You may also love to browse these 65 healthy chicken recipes!
One Pan Quinoa Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless & skinless chicken breasts cut into 1″ pieces
- 2 large bell peppers coarsely chopped
- 15 oz can red kidney beans drained & rinsed
- 15 oz can black beans drained & rinsed (or extra red kidney beans)
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup quinoa uncooked (I use pre-washed)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp chili powder divided (more to taste)
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp taco seasoning all natural
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 + 1/4 tsp salt divided
- Jalapeños diced (I would definitely add if I had no kids)
- Cooking spray I use Misto
- Non-fat Greek yogurt shredded cheese, jalapeños, cilantro and green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat large deep skillet on medium – high heat and add chicken, 1 tbsp chili powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Move chicken to one side of the skillet and make sure an empty portion of the skillet is placed directly over heat. Reduce heat to medium, spray skillet with cooking spray and add bell peppers. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add remaining ingredients, except garnishes, and stir. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 25 minutes. Check quinoa for readiness – it will look like it has popped open, revealing the germ of the kernel. Remove from heat and let chili rest for 10 minutes developing the flavours. Add extra water for smoother consistency if desired. Quinoa will absorb liquid as it sits and usually I like to add about a cup of boiled water from a kettle. Serve hot with desired garnishes.
I am absolutely loving your recipes! So happy to have found you!
So glad you are enjoying the site, glad to have you here!
Amazing recipe. Your app has changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic but seriously……your recipes are so easy and healthy. My family is blown away at what a good cook I am ? thank you!
Awe, thank you so much for your kind words. I am thrilled you and your family are enjoying my recipes!
Hi, do you mean pasta sauce when you write tomato sauce? Or salsa? I am in Australia and we call Ketchup tomato sauce so just wanted to clarify. 🙂
Tomato sauce is crushed or puréed tomatoes with simple spices. Pasta sauce works too maybe use less salt then. Not salsa.
Super yummy! Made this last night. I didn’t have black beans so like the suggestion, used 2 cans of kidney beans. Also used 1 whole onion and 5 cloves of garlic instead of the powders. A dallop of greek yogurt and shredded cheddar on top and oh my delicious! Thanks once again for a great recipe!
Awesome and you are welcome! Merry Christmas!
Made this last night for dinner, and it was delish!! The prep was so quick and easy, thanks for sharing the recipe. (Writing this as I am finishing the leftovers for lunch)
I love this dish and love Mexican simply because the kids love Mexican. But you freaked me out ….90% of frozen foods have GMO’s that cause cancer, autism and other diseases? I mean, I’m pretty good at not buying frozen foods but even I buy the occasional chicken nuggets, but now I am not going to do that! Wow. You really are what you eat. However, I’ll still order pizza from time to time.
Well, almost all processed foods (except organic and still read the label) contain GMOs in a form of soybean or canola oil at least. Not to mention artificial stuff. Takeout pizza too.:( Yes, we are what we eat and it’s becoming more evident every year…unfortunately!
Can this be made with brown rice? Maybe parboil it? My husband will not eat the quinoa. Thank you. I am loving the pumpkin coconut muffins!
Yes, that’s a great idea. Pre-cook rice for about 20 minutes and then add instead of quinoa. You shouldn’t have to adjust anything else in the recipe. Awesome, great combo, right?!