One-Skillet Creamy Chicken Quinoa with peas is quick and easy to prep and have on the dinner table in only 30 minutes!
What’s In One-Skillet Creamy Chicken Quinoa?
This recipe only requires a few basic ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. You’ll need the following ingredients:
- Thick-Cut Sliced Bacon, diced small
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs, sliced
- Seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper
- White quinoa, rinsed and drained
- Chicken broth
- Frozen peas
- Half & Half
- Cream cheese, cut into chunks
- Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh Parsley, chopped
Tools You’ll Need:
- Cutting board
- Kitchen knife
- High-sided skillet with a lid
- Wooden spatula
Why Quinoa?
Quinoa started popping up all over my Pinterest, Facebook feed, and Instagram images a few years ago. I had seen it on the store shelves, but was hesitant to give it a try. Quinoa can be used in place of rice and is packed with protein and fiber.
Quinoa comes from Peru, Bolivia and Chile. It’s been a staple food item in those areas for years. It has a soft, fluffy texture that offers a slightly nutty flavor.
The anti-inflammatory benefits caught my attention after researching the seed. I have early on-set arthritis and try to avoid foods that stir up inflammation. It’s also gluten-free and aids in digestion.
Before cooking, quinoa needs to be rinsed well to avoid saponins, which are chemicals designed to protect the plant from diseases caused by fungi, viruses, and bacteria. The saponins can exhibit a bitter, soapy taste if you skip washing them.
Suggested Side Ideas:
Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon – Get a double-use of your bacon!
Classic Caesar Salad – This is one of my favorite go-to side dishes.
Crunchy Broccoli Slaw – Tired of salad? Try this broccoli slaw dish instead. It’s a refreshing change!
Roasted Broccoli Salad – Add in an extra serving of delicious green veggies for your family with this broccoli salad!
One-Skillet Creamy Chicken Quinoa with Peas
Ingredients
- 4 thick-cut slices bacon, diced small
- 1 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup white quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups frozen peas
- ¼ cup half & half
- 4 oz. cream cheese, cut into chunks
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Add bacon to a large, high-sided skillet set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully drain excess bacon grease from skillet.
Return skillet to medium heat and add sliced chicken, onion powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken starts to develop some color, approximately 2-3 minutes.
Add the quinoa and chicken broth and stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, and then immediately reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the chicken and quinoa are cooked through, approximately 10-12 minutes.
Uncover and stir in frozen peas, half & half, cream cheese, and half of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and remove from heat. Cover and let sit for another minute or two or until the cheese is completely melted.
Remove cover and stir in fresh parsley. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired, and serve immediately with remaining Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 526Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 1188mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 51g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 2/26/2021
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