Slow Cooker Chicken and Quinoa
Get a simple and nutritious dinner prepped with this Slow Cooker Chicken and Quinoa recipe. Throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and then enjoy your tasty meal at the end of the day. This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
For easy meals that don’t take a lot of effort, I highly recommend using a slow cooker (I like this 6-quart Crockpot). “Dump-and-go” meals are the perfect solution to a busy schedule.
In today’s recipe, chicken, quinoa, veggies, and broth go into the crockpot and finish right in time for dinner! Chicken thighs stay tender and moist while the quinoa soaks up the flavorful broth. It feels like comfort food, but this slow cooker quinoa and chicken recipe is packed with nutrients and protein.
You will love this healthy crockpot chicken and quinoa dinner. It’s a great recipe to add to your weekly meal plan.
Key Ingredients
- Olive oil – Olive oil adds flavor and heart-healthy fats to this dish. You can also use avocado oil or ghee in its place.
- Quinoa – You can use any color quinoa you prefer. If you’re new to quinoa, white quinoa has a mild taste and fluffy texture. It’s a good choice if you aren’t sure how the different colors taste.
- Veggies – Onions, carrots, and celery give this dish even more nutrients and plenty of flavor.
- Chicken thighs – Chicken thighs are dark meat that contain more fat than chicken breasts. This just means they stay moist no matter how you cook them.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.
Recipe Steps
Step One
In the base of your slow cooker, add the olive oil, quinoa, onion, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, sea salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Step Two
Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetable and quinoa mixture, but don’t stir.
Step Three
Place the lid on the slow cooker and set the temperature to low for 8 hours.
Step Four
When the cooking time is up, remove the lid and use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken to your serving plates.
Then, stir the vegetables and quinoa and serve them with the chicken.
Top with parsley and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Quinoa adds plenty of protein, carbs, and fiber to help you feel full.
- Chicken thighs stay moist in the crockpot. See my related recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs and Potatoes.
- Only 20 minutes of prep time and you’re ready to go! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and absolutely delicious.
Recipe FAQs
You can reheat this recipe in the microwave until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the oven in a baking dish at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed throughout.
I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.
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Crockpot Chicken and Quinoa Recipe
Get a simple and nutritious dinner prepped with this Slow Cooker Chicken and Quinoa recipe. Throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and then enjoy your tasty meal at the end of the day. This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Total Time: 8 hours, 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 pieces)
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In the base of your slow cooker, add the olive oil, quinoa, onion, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, sea salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetable and quinoa mixture, but don’t stir.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and set the temperature to low for 8 hours.
- When the cooking time is up, remove the lid and use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken to your serving plates.
- Then, stir the vegetables and quinoa and serve them with the chicken.
- Sprinkle the parsley on top of each dish before serving, if desired.
Notes
- This meal is best cooked on low to give the quinoa enough time to cook through.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
- You can also serve this dish with the chicken stirred into the quinoa and veggies (as opposed to separating the chicken from the quinoa and veggies). You may need to shred the chicken using two forks to help it break up as you stir it.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: Dairy-Free
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 296
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 319.3 mg
- Fat: 10.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2.7 g
- Protein: 32.9 g
- Cholesterol: 140.1 mg
More Slow Cooker Recipes You Might Like
- Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Lentils and Spinach
- Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken
- Keto Crockpot Chicken Thighs with Cabbage
- Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Curry
Or, you can see my entire index of gluten-free Crockpot recipes.
What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken and Quinoa
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.
It was awesome! The taste was amazing and I loved the idea that the receipt is totally healthy. I used certified organic veggies and quinoa of course!
Can I use skinless chicken breast?
yes
Such a simple and tasty dinner!