Go Back
alt=""

30-Minute Quinoa Enchilada Skillet Meal

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 poblano chile, seeded and finely diced (about 1/3 - 1/2 cup) (see note for substitutions)
  • 2 cups quinoa, well-rinsed and drained
  • 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 16 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, from about 1 medium lime
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 cups cooked diced chicken or turkey
  • 1/2-1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar cheese, or a combination
  • Optional toppings: avocados, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, olives, etc.

Instructions 

  • In a 12-inch nonstick skillet with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic and poblano chile. Cook for a minute or two, stirring constantly. Add the drained quinoa, broth, tomato sauce, beans, salt, chili powder, oregano and cumin and stir to combine.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, reduce the temperature, cover the skillet, and continue simmering for 20 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa has popped open and is tender. Regulate the heat during cooking if the mixture is sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
  • Uncover and stir in the corn, lime juice, cilantro, and chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes or until heated through. Add additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.
  • Sprinkle the top with cheese and cover the skillet to let the cheese melt (or broil - if the skillet is oven-safe - for a more bubbly topping).
  • Serve with optional garnishes if you'd like: avocados, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, olives, etc.

Notes

Chiles: I haven't tried this but am assuming you could sub in a can of diced green chiles for the poblano chile (keep in mind this will up the saltiness of the mixture so you might cut down the salt called for a bit later in the recipe).
Chicken: if you don't have cooked chicken on hand, you could use uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cut into bite-size pieces; season them well with salt and pepper and sauté in the first step with the oil (before adding the garlic and chile). Remove them to a plate to use later in the recipe (they'll overcook if left in the skillet to simmer with the quinoa) and add a bit more oil and proceed with sautéing the garlic and chile.
Meatless: and speaking of chicken, you could very easily leave it out for a meatless dish.