Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Quinoa Casserole Recipe
Dec 18, 2015, Updated Oct 06, 2022
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Give rotisserie chicken new life with this super simple & delicious crock pot chicken casserole recipe. Packed with quinoa, chicken, veggies & salsa, this is about to become your new go-to hearty meal! All you need to do is arrange the ingredients in the crock pot and walk away.
Hey Hey! Happy Friday! People, we have just 1 more week until the big day! And while all your social media feeds and emails are packed with all those gorgeous Christmas recipes, I’m just over here giving you another daily meal idea. Hope you don’t mind because, life ain’t all about cookies and candy canes. 😉
BUT, it should BE!
However, this Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Quinoa Casserole comes with a story. THIS seriously delicious crock pot dinner comes from one of my new favorite cookbooks written by one of my friends, Trish Rosenquist from Mom on Time Out.
IF anyone ever asked me about what type of a cookbook would I wish for, my answer would have been, disguising chicken leftovers as new meals. Isn’t that everyone’s wish?
Then, it’s like the cookbook-Gods heard me and had Trish write this book! Seriously. I mean, who comes up with 100 recipes all involving rotisserie chicken? TRISH! That’s who!
I first met Trish at a Bloggers Press Trip a couple of years ago. From the get go, she completely impressed me with her creative recipes at the General Mills Kitchens. Apart from delicious, they were just so beautiful and imaginative. If you have not been by her blog, Mom on Timeout, hop on over there and be prepared to print out all her recipes.
This Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Quinoa Casserole Recipe was so easy and exactly what I was looking for.
As you know, my favorite kitchen appliance is my crock pot, and my favorite food to cook with is chicken, thus this recipe was born for ME! What’s more is that this recipe is one of those, ‘set it and forget it’ meals. You just layer all the ingredients inside the crock pot, cover, and let it goooo…. let it goooo…. just let it beeeee … why don’t you be you and I’ll be meeee…
Ahem. #sorrynotsorry. 2 daughters under the age of 7 is my excuse.
SO. As I was saying. You guys, THIS cookbook is a lifesaver. When I first got it, I flipped through all the pages a dozen times, marking all the recipes I wanted to make. From soups, to 20-minute dinners, Trish has covered just about all and everything that you can make with rotisserie chicken.
This book is so helpful for all you busy families that do not have hours to spend in the kitchen. The book is divided into sections, making it easy for you to pick out a slow cooked dinner or a great big pizza. With 100 Creative Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken in Everyday Meals, you can start cooking stress-free meals right now. OR, as soon as you buy this gem! Besides, this would make a perfect Holiday gift.
Buy 100 Creative Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken in Everyday Meals on Amazon.
Not into rotisserie chicken? (WHAT!?!?) Use your own cooked and shredded chicken.
ENJOY!
CRAVING MORE? SIGN UP FOR THE DIETHOOD NEWSLETTER FOR FRESH NEW RECIPES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX!
FOLLOW DIETHOOD ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM FOR ALL OF THE LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND UPDATES.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 ounces quinoa
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) sweet corn, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups salsa, use your favorite brand
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 8 ounces shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, not drained
- 5 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Cilantro
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Green onions
- Olives
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients. Add all the ingredients to a 4 to 5-quart slow cooker apart from 4 ounces of shredded cheese and 1 cup of chicken broth. Smooth over the top.
- Top with more broth and cheese. Add the remaining broth and shredded cheese over the ingredients.
- Cook. Cover with a lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, or until the quinoa is fully cooked.
- Enjoy! Serve with your choice of toppings.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
More Chicken Recipes:
Do you add the queso fresco to the crockpot?
Hi, this looks delicious! I have a friend who doesn’t eat chicken. Do you think shrimp would taste good/ cook well in this, or would it be better to just leave out the protein? Thanks!!
Hi Alex! I would say to leave out the protein because shrimp cooks real fast and, if you cook it for that long in the slow cooker, pretty sure you might end up with mush. You can cook the shrimp on the side and just fold it in once the quinoa is done. I hope that helps! 🙂
Can I use frozen chicken breast?
Hi Cassie!! I don’t use frozen chicken in the crock pot, but I do know that many people do, so you can definitely try it.
Can brown rice be substituted for the quinoa?
Is the Quinoa cooked or uncooked?
Hi Michelle! No, it’s not cooked. It will cook in the crock pot.
Hey there! I’d like to make this for some guests this weekend but I can’t find where it says how many it serves? Can you please tell me?
Hi! That should say “serves 6 to 8”. Thank you for letting me know – I just updated it. :))
Thank you!
This sounds really good! Has anyone mentioned using non rotisserie chicken (raw breasts or thighs)? I have that on hand, and trying to clean out the pantry/freezer! 🙂
Hi Janele!! Yes, you can definitely do that, but cook the chicken prior to adding it to the slow cooker. I hope that helps!
Why cook the chicken first if it is going to be in the crock pot for eight hours? won’t it be over done?
Hi Theresa! Actually, I thought the same thing at first, but nope – all was well. 🙂 It worked out perfectly.
Should ingredients all be mixed together or layered or does it not matter?
Hi Rachel!
No, it doesn’t matter – layer them however you feel like it. 😀 The only thing not to mess with is the broth at the end, and that last layer of cheese – let those two be last, and don’t stir in the cheese. Hope that helps! Let me know.
If the rotisserie chicken is already cooked, does it not get overcooked after being in the crockpot for that long?
Hi! Actually, it doesn’t. I thought the same before trying it, but no, it came together as it should have. 🙂
This is absolutely gorgeous – and sounds fantastic!