Slow Cooker Chicken and Spring Vegetable Quinoa

The creamy, risotto-like texture of this dish will win you over!

Spring produce is all about the green, and so is this Slow Cooker Chicken and Spring Vegetable Quinoa! It is chock-full of green from vegetables like asparagus, peas, and green beans, not to mention basil and spinach pesto. Quinoa and chicken make this a high protein dinner that’s loaded with fiber, vitamins, and all things healthy. You may not have ever thought to cook quinoa in a slow cooker, but the creamy, risotto-like texture of this dish will win you over!

This recipe calls for our Basil & Spinach Pesto, but feel free to use another recipe or store bought pesto if you like. Either way, it will taste fantastic and turn out a lovely fresh green color!

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Slow Cooker Chicken and Spring Vegetable Quinoa

This creamy and nutrient-rich dish is a delicious choice for a weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours 10 minutes

Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes

Yield 8 people

Serving Size 1 cup

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Author SkinnyMs.

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

• 1 1/2 cups quinoa
• 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
• 7 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
• 5 garlic cloves minced fine
• 1/2 onion diced small
• 1/2 cup celery diced small
• 1 cup carrots shredded
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 6 teaspoons prepared basil and spinach pesto
• 2 cups peas fresh
• 1 lemon juiced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups green beans fresh, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 pound asparagus cut into bite-sized pieces
• parmesan cheese asiago, or pecorino cheese for topping, grated

Instructions

• Rinse the quinoa and place it in a 3-quart slow cooker along with the chicken, 4 cups of the chicken broth, garlic, onion, celery, carrots, thyme, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mix well and cover, then cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until chicken is not pink and quinoa is tender.
• When the quinoa and chicken are done, the mixture should be very thick and sticky. Add the remaining 3 cups of chicken broth 1 cup at a time and stir until the mixture resembles a creamy risotto or casserole. You may not need all of the broth, so don't fret if there is some left!
• Stir in the basil and spinach pesto, peas, and lemon juice and cover to let heat through.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet, then add the asparagus and green beans and sauté for around 5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Add the vegetables back to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
• Serve immediately topped with grated cheese.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 989mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 9

Keywords Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, Slow Cooker

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