Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Casserole

Ingredients

Serves 8

1 cup quinoa, picked and rinsed well

2 cups of water

¼ teaspoon fine grain salt

2 small chicken breasts (about 4 oz / 113 gr each)

1 vegetable bouillon (I used Rapunzel)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 celery stalk

1 onion finely chopped

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 (8 oz / 225 gr) can tomato sauce

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

6 to 8 tablespoons hot sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot), adjust to taste

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup blue cheese crumbles

Directions

Heat a splash of olive oil in the saucepan over medium-high heat, and add the quinoa. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, letting the water evaporate.

Add 2 cups of water and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a rolling boil, lower to a simmer (turn heat down to the lowest setting), cover, and cook for 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 more minutes, covered.

Remove the lid and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork (you should see tiny spirals separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds.) Set aside.

In the meantime, in a medium saucepan, place chicken breasts, celery stalk cut into big pieces, parsley, and cover with water. Add bouillon, bring to a boil, lower to simmer, and cook covered for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Remove chicken, let cool, and shred with a fork. Set aside.

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 6 minutes.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Give a good stir, lower the heat, and let simmer for 7 to 8 minutes.

In a dry nonstick skillet over medium high heat, toss and toast quinoa with cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, and garlic powder for 2 minutes. Taste and season with salt. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 8x8 baking dish (or a large cast iron skillet).

In a large bowl combine toasted quinoa, tomato mixture, shredded chicken, hot sauce, and half of the cheese.

Transfer quinoa mixture to the baking dish (or cast iron skillet) and top with remaining cheese.

Cover with foil and and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for further 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve!