Caprese Chicken & Quinoa Casserole

This super flavorful Cheesy Caprese Chicken and Quinoa Casserole is the reliable weeknight meal that is hearty, full of flavor and sure to please the entire family!

Want to know the best way to your man's heart??

Yep. This cheesy full-of-yummy-comforting-goodness casserole dish filled with rotisserie chicken, quinoa, fresh tomatoes and basil. Cooks have always loved caprese dishes….the combination of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil is pure HEAVEN in the book and A cook figured it was absolutely necessary that they be thrown into a cheesy casserole.

What goes in

• 3 cups diced rotisserie chicken, or any other cooked chicken
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. crushed red pepper, this is optional
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• Handful fresh basil, chopped

How it comes together

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. To make quinoa, rinse and soak for about 10 minutes in warm water. Bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil in a small saucepan, drain quinoa and add to boiling broth. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer, cooking for about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn heat off and allow quinoa to sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork; hold nearby.
3. To make the sauce, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and balsamic vinegar in a saucepan on a moderate burner and bring to a simmer. Add half and half, crushed red pepper and salt/pepper and continue cooking until heated through.
4. Use a wide bowl, mix together chopped chicken, quinoa, Parmesan cheese and a 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, then add sauce to quinoa mixture; mixing well.
5. Pour quinoa mixture into a prepared 9×13 baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and tomatoes.
6. Bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through. Top with fresh basil, serve and enjoy!