This healthy slow cooker creamy chicken casserole with broccoli and quinoa is wonderfully creamy, yet made without any cream or butter. Get the recipe now.

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This healthy slow cooker creamy chicken casserole with broccoli and quinoa is my go-to comfort meal

Creamy? Check! Savory? Check! Chicken that just falls apart? Check!

If you love a traditional chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole, then you’re going to love this healthy crockpot chicken recipe!

Made without any cream or butter, this chicken and quinoa casserole made in the slow cooker is the perfect healthy Sunday night dinner. 

Kid-friendly and hungry husband-approved, I promise this healthy slow cooker chicken recipe will quickly become a family favorite! 

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Healthy twist on a comfort food favorite.
• Perfectly creamy and savory.
• High protein, yet low in saturated fat. 
• Made in the slow cooker. 
• Kid-friendly and can be made gluten-free. 

Ingredients used to make this healthy creamy chicken and quinoa casserole

• Chicken breasts: You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I used raw chicken tenders, but you can use larger breasts and just cut them into four smaller pieces. 
• Quinoa: Quinoa is gluten-free and a good source of protein. I used red quinoa, but white will also work.
• Broccoli: The 4 cups of broccoli is just a rough estimate, feel free to add more if you want your casserole packed with veggies.
• Chicken broth: As there’s only two cups, I used regular broth. You can use low-sodium, but you may find that you need to add more salt. Vegetable broth will also work. 
• Unsweetened oat milk: Most unsweetened milk alternatives or regular cow’s milk will work. I don’t recommend rice or coconut milks as they can be a tad too sweet. 
• Cheese: Any shredded white cheese will work. I used an extra-sharp white cheddar, but gouda would also be delicious. For a lower-fat meal, use part-skim mozzarella.
• Flour: To help thicken, you’ll need all-purpose or white whole wheat flour. To make this gluten-free, use an all-purpose gluten free blend like this one from Bob’s Red Mill. 
• Garlic: I used pre-minced refrigerated garlic. You can also use garlic powder. 
• Onion powder: Don’t skip on this! The onion powder is necessary for the savory flavor. 
• Thyme: I used fresh, but you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme instead. Dried oregano would also work. 
• Salt and pepper: I think the recommended amounts are just right, but of course feel free to adjust these to taste. 

How to make this slow cooker creamy chicken casserole recipe

This healthy slow cooker creamy chicken casserole could not be easier to make! Simply add everything except the flour, cheese, and 1 cup of water into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7. 

When there’s 30 minutes of cooking time left, make your slurry. 

To do this, you’ll whisk together the flour and 1 cup of very warm water in a small mixing bowl. Once the mixture is lump-free, add the slurry into the slow cooker. 

Cook for the remaining 30 minutes. Stir in the cheese just before serving. 

Do you need to cook chicken before putting it in the slow cooker?

Nope! Simply add the raw chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients on top. 

How can you keep broccoli from getting soggy in the slow cooker? 

To keep broccoli from getting soggy in the slow cooker, wait to add it until there’s just 30 minutes of cooking time left.

Can you use rice instead of quinoa? 

You can use brown rice.

However, it will get mushier than quinoa will. To give your rice more texture, cook it on the stove rather than the slow cooker, and then stir it into the crockpot when there’s only 30 minutes left of cooking time. 

How do you store leftover slow cooker creamy chicken casserole? 

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing it as it gets too mushy when thawed and reheated. 

More healthy chicken slow cooker recipes to try 

Looking for more easy, healthy slow cooker chicken recipes? Here are some of my favorites: 

• Crock Pot Creamy Cashew Chicken from Half Baked Harvest
• BBQ Chicken Wings in the Slow Cooker from Food Faith Fitness
• Crockpot White Chicken Chili from Well Plated

If you tried this healthy Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Casserole or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! 

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Print Recipe

Healthy Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe

This healthy slow cooker creamy chicken casserole with broccoli and quinoa is wonderfully creamy, yet made without any cream or butter.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time4 hrs

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Healthy Chicken Quinoa Casserole, Healthy slow cooker chicken recipe, Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe

Servings: 4

Calories: 423kcal

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast raw tenders or larger breasts cut into 4 pieces
• 1 cup quinoa rinsed
• 4 cups broccoli florets about 1 large head or 2 small
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
• 1 cup unsweetened oat milk or milk of choice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water divided
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese or other white cheese

Instructions

• In a slow cooker add the chicken, quinoa, broccoli, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, and thyme. Pour the oat milk, chicken broth, and 1 cup of water.
• Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours.
• When there’s 30 minutes left, make you slurry. To do this, pour 1 cup of very warm water (I just used hot tap wateinto a small mixing bowl. Whisk in the flour until no clumps remain. Pour into the slow cooker and give a stir. Cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
• Once the casserole is cooked, stir in the cheddar cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition for ¼ of recipe: 423 calories, 11 grams fat (3 grams saturated), 37 grams carbs, 4 grams fiber, 1 gram sugar, 38 grams protein.

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