One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Quinoa ****

Oh.  Wow.  This was just unbelievably delicious.  We're recent quinoa converts, and the only way I've ever made it was in the crockpot (just two recipes: Crockpot Pizza Quinoa and Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa).  I've been wanting to find a way to try it on the stovetop, and boy was this a winner.  I mean, what's to dislike, considering you've got broccoli, cheese, and chicken; am I right?  But we all loved it.  The recipe below is doubled from the original, since it was written with only 4 servings.  I don't know that I would say it's actually a full 8 servings, but we did get 7 servings out of it.  Hubby and both boys took leftovers for lunch the next day.  It's very filling, but so flavorful.  It's a nice comfort food, but you don't have the heaviness that comes with most comfort foods (which are so often potato-based - not that I'm complaining, lol).  Between the quinoa and all that broccoli, I was able to convince myself that we were having a decently healthy meal. :-)

ONE PAN CHEESY CHICKEN BROCCOLI AND QUINOA
(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ CookingClassy, doubled)

2 lbs chicken breasts, diced into 1” cubes
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
salt and pepper
3-1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups dry quinoa
1/2 tsp dried thyme
4-5 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat.  Once hot, add onion and sauté 2 minutes.  Add garlic and sauté 1 minute longer (chicken should be cooked on outsides, but inside doesn’t need to be fully cooked through at this point because it will boil and simmer).
2. Add in broth, quinoa, and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a full boil.  Cover and reduce heat to a simmer and cook 12 minutes.
3. Then quickly lift lid, sprinkle broccoli over top, recover and simmer about 8 minutes longer or until quinoa and broccoli have cooked through (it may have a little broth in the bottom still at this point, and you can carefully drain it off if desired, just don’t pour everything down the drain!).
4. Sprinkle cheese over top.  Cover and heat 1-2 minutes until cheese has melted.
Serves 6-8