How much quinoa per person?

How to cook quinoa perfectly every time. You'll need about 50g of quinoa per person (make sure to rinse it first) and chicken or vegetable stock. We can't emphasise using stock enough. It really makes a difference to the flavour, yet is subtle enough not to distract from your final dish.

What seasonings are good on quinoa?

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper . I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

Is quinoa healthier than rice?

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice . A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

What to add to quinoa while cooking?

At the very least, toss it with salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. To kick it up another notch, stir in chopped herbs, minced garlic, toasted nuts, or crumbled feta cheese, or use it in one of the quinoa recipes below!

Is 1 cup of quinoa too much?

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day . You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Is 1 cup of quinoa enough?

Like rice, quinoa grows in size as it cooks; culinary and health experts alike tend to agree that 1/4 cup of uncooked quinoa is enough for one person . Because it's so rich in protein and fiber, even a small amount will fill you up for hours while keeping you energized. Win-win!

How do you make quinoa not taste bad?

Happily, the solution to preventing bitter quinoa is very simple. All you need to do is rinse your uncooked quinoa in cold running water for a minute or so until the water runs clear .

What makes quinoa better?

Higher in fiber than many grains Another important benefit of quinoa is its high fiber content. A 1-cup (185-gram) serving of cooked quinoa contains 5.18 grams of fiber. That's about 18% of the current 28-gram DV ( 4 ). Quinoa contains more fiber than several other popular grains, like brown rice.

How do you activate quinoa?

Activate the quinoa by soaking overnight in cold water . The next day, drain and rinse the quinoa through a fine sieve (the grains are so small that they will wash through a coarse one).

One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach

Published: Aug 27, 2020 · Modified: Oct 15, 2022 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 114 Comments

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In this easy one-pot chicken recipe, chicken, quinoa, mushrooms and spinach nestle together for a healthy meal with minimal clean-up. 256 calories and 6 Weight Watchers SP

On those days when cooking and clean-up seem overwhelming, this one-pot chicken quinoa dish comes to the rescue!

Ever since I fist made Quinoa with Caramelized Crimini Mushrooms, Soy Sauce and Ginger years ago, I knew that one of my favorite whole grains (which can even be frozen for easy meal prep!) was a perfect match for my all-time favorite vegetable.

So, why not nestle some seasoned chicken thighs into the simmering quinoa and mushroom mixture, along with some fresh spinach for a complete meal?

Healthy dinner on the table and massive clean-up averted.

My job here is done.

Tips for making this one-pot chicken quinoa meal:

The first step is to get a nice sear on the spice-coated chicken thighs. That golden brown crust on the outside adds flavor. Never turn down the opportunity to add an extra layer of flavor! Two to three minutes per side in a hot skillet will do the trick.

Next up…sauté the mushrooms and onions until tender, then stir in the garlic.

Add the broth and quinoa, bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat. The mixture should be simmering.

About 10 minutes later, add the chicken thighs back to the skillet. Don’t leave behind the accumulated juices (hello, flavor). Once the chicken is in the pan, cover and cook.

Be sure that the mixture is simmering! If you don’t see bubbles, turn up the heat a bit so that the mixture is hot enough to cook the chicken.

The last step is to add the spinach and adjust the seasonings (salt and pepper) to taste. Super simple!

What can I use in place of mushrooms?

If you’re not a rabid fan of mushrooms like I am, feel free to make a substitution. Zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, carrots, eggplant or even sliced cabbage added in the last few minutes. Plenty of options!

Can chicken breasts be used instead of thighs?

Yes. If using breasts, I suggest cutting them in half or in thirds if they are large. Take care not to overcook the meat, as chicken breasts tend to dry out easily.

Other one-pot dinner recipes:

{Cookin' Canuck}
{Cookin' Canuck}
One-Pot Creamy Peanut Spinach Lentils {Food Faith Fitness}
One Pan Healthy Paella {The Clean Eating Couple}

Printable Recipe

One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach Recipe

One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms and Spinach recipe...Healthy dinner, quick clean-up!

4.65 from 214 votes

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Course: Entrees

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Healthy Dinner Recipes, One Pot, Poultry Recipes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 257.8kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
¾ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil divided
½ yellow onion chopped
8 ounces crimini mushrooms sliced
3 garlic cloves minced
1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups low-fat chicken broth
1 ½ cups sliced spinach leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Place the chicken thighs in a medium bowl. Add the rosemary, smoked paprika, salt and pepper, and toss to coat the chicken.
Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil in the skillet. Add the onion and mushrooms, and cook until the vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Stir the quinoa and broth into the vegetables. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Nestle the chicken into the quinoa, and cook (covered) until the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes (total of 30 minutes).
Transfer the chicken to a plate. Stir the spinach into the quinoa. Serve with the chicken. Season to taste.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 6 (Blue - Freestyle SmartPoints), 6 (Green), 4 (Purple)

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the Sparks nutrition calculator and Weight Watchers points are calculated using the Recipe Builder on their site. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

This post was first published on September 11, 2015 and was updated on August 27, 2020.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Amanda Johnston
August 27, 2023 at 3:54 pm

Ok I don't normally leave comments but this is so much better than I expected! Seriously so delicious. I used chicken breast and still. Also added garlic seasoning and onion powder. Will be making this again!
Reply
Phyllis Parker
July 03, 2023 at 7:09 pm

I just made this and it is really great. One of my children brought home quinoa and I've never cooked or eaten it before. In reading about it, I understand it's pretty bland. This dish is anything but bland. Highly recommend this recipe.
Reply
- Dara
  July 12, 2023 at 10:13 am
  So great to hear that, Phyllis! Thank you for taking the time to comment.
  Reply

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One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach - Easy Dinner Recipe (2024)