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5.0 from 84 votes

Weeknight One Pot Salsa Chicken Quinoa

This salsa chicken quinoa is made in one pot and is perfect for a weeknight meal! Top with avocado pico de gallo, lime and sour cream.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 large or 2 small bell peppers, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen works)
  • 1 cup mild or medium salsa (or hot, if you want!)
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • toppings: sliced green onions, sour cream, cotija cheese, more salsa
  • lime wedges, for spritzing
avocado pico
  • 2 avocados, cubed
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 limes, freshly juiced
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Add in the onion, peppers, and garlic with a bit pinch of salt and pepper and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the shredded chicken. Add in the paprika, chili powder and cumin with one more pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to activate the spices.
  2. Add the quinoa, beans, corn, salsa and chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce it to a simmer and cover it. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and stir. If the liquid hasn’t fully absorbed yet, continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the cheese. Serve the quinoa and top with the avocado pico, such as sour cream or yogurt, green onions, lime and cotija cheese. Spritz with a wedge of lime. Leftovers stay great in the fridge!
avocado pico de gallo
  1. Combine everything in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. This stays okay sealed in the fridge overnight, but the avocado will brown a bit. To serve, make it right before eating.