This Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole is made in the crock pot so it’s SUPER quick and easy. Perfect for weeknights and the WHOLE family will love it!
PIN Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole
(Photos updated Oct/2018 – narration not changed (I did not cut my finger recently)
I chopped my finger off.
I mean, I might be slightly over-exaggerating (are you surprised?) and I may have only sliced it REALLY REALLY BADLY, but that is not what I said while sobbing into Mr. FFF’s voicemail 🙂
I have this serrated knife. It’s really pretty and orange and all kinds of unassuming because it looks like the sun. The sun is bright and happy and it would NEVER chop someone’s finger off.
BUT, when I use this knife, I ALWAYS cut myself. I don’t mean “sometimes,” Like EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
When I was using this knife the other day I was even saying in my head “don’t cut self. DON’T DO IT”
And I did.
And then I didn’t know what to do. So, I called the Hubs, while he was at work, and left a SOBBING voicemail about how I “cut my finger off, and it won’t stop bleeding and OH MY GOSH IT HURTS SO BAD, WHAT DO I DO.”
Of course he called me 2 hours later on his break, FREAKING OUT because he is a nurse and he assumed all kinds of badness.
Then I pick up the phone and I’m all like “I got me some leftover paleo chocolate chip cookies and bandaids. GOOD TO GO.”
He wasn’t thrilled. He also banned me from pretty, orange knife use-age.
Good thing I have a PINK ONE. SUCCESS.
THEN, that night when we were saying our prayers before bed he goes “thank you that Taylor did not chop her finger off, but I pray that she can stop cutting herself and maybe someone can invent soft knives so that I can stop worrying about leaving her unattended”
It was adorable.
So, in honor of Mr. FFF wanting to be able to go to work without fear of coming home to a wife who has given herself nubs, I am sharing with you a SUPER SAFE chicken and quinoa casserole recipe that has the magical taste sensation of BBQ chicken. Remember the Zucchini Noodle BBQ Chicken Casserole and BBQ Chicken Summer Rolls? I LOVE IT.
Also, this chicken quinoa bake doesn’t use knives because, like the like the one pan Mexican quinoa casserole, you just throw it in a big, SUPER SAFE (see babe!) Crock Pot that has NO sharp edges. Just takin’ a playbook from me favorite Slow cooker Thai peanut butter chicken quinoa bowls ya know?
I know you’re glaring at me because those peppers did not cut themselves. Let’s just not talk about that.
You’re still glaring at me because there is that SMALL chance that the Crock Pot could light itself on FIRE and burn your whole house down while making this chicken and quinoa bake, THEREFORE, making it notsosafe.
Can you just stop so that I can pretend that I am being the best wife evah? Thanks.
But, fo’ cereal, this healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa casserole? I love it. As in I ate it for breakfast instead of my FAVORITE Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats.
That is how you KNOW it’s true love. No one messes with my oatmeal. You know this.
I almost jumped right into the Crock Pot when I tasted the creamykindaspicybutsmokeyandwaitwhat?sortofsweet goodness of this healthy bbq chicken quinoa casserole.
But, then I would burn myself. Which goes against my safety arguments.
I may also be a wee bit larger than my Crock Pot, which makes jumping in kinda of on the uncomfortable side.
But, that is neither here nor there.
ANYWHO.
Do I sense a dinner win, WITH NO POSSIBLE BAD THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO IT, coming on?
Y to the E to SSSSSS.
Other Recipes You Might Like:
BBQ Baked Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
BBQ Paleo Chicken Wings in the Slow Cooker
Healthy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole
This Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole is made in the crock pot so it's SUPER quick and easy. Perfect for weeknights and the WHOLE family will love it!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Cup Quinoa, uncooked
- 1 Cup Frozen corn kernels
- 1 Cup Red Bell pepper, chopped
- 1 Cup Hickory BBQ sauce + additional for drizzling (GF if needed)
- 1/2 Cup Onion, diced
- 2 tsp Fresh Garlic, minced
- 1/2 Tbsp Cumin powder
- 1/2 Tbsp Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Hickory Liquid smoke
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Pepper
- 1/2 Pound Raw Chicken breast
- Cilantro, for garnish
- Green onion, for garnish
- Cheddar cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients up to the liquid smoke in the bottom of your crock pot and stir together until well mixed.
Nestle the chicken breasts into the mixture, so that the liquid covers them. Cook on HIGH heat for 2-3 hours, or until the broth is absorbed and the chicken is no longer pink inside.
Remove the chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Place the shredded chicken pack into the slow cooker and mix well.
Garnish with remaining BBQ sauce, cilantro, green onions and cheddar cheese (if desired).
DEVOUR!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
If you try this recipe I would love to see it and share it! Tag me on IG @foodfaithfit, using the hashtag #foodfaithfitFOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE POINTS: 10 POINTS+: 11. OLD POINTS: 8
(Per 1/4 of the recipe)
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Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
Yum, this looks amazing Taylor! Definitely need to try this asap!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Sharon!
Beth says
I have the same problem in my house, knives cutting me.. is it a girl thing?! Maybe Caleb could buy you some rubber gloves to wear while you use the knife! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! YES. I’ll ask for them for Vday 😉 Thanks girl!
Katharine says
Oh serrated knives….I cut myself on Super Bowl Sunday a few years ago while making sandwiches with one of those. It was a pretty deep cut, and I was one bandaid away from needing stitches. It took 2 years to get feeling back on the tip of the finger that I cut. :-O
This looks very yummy! We love BBQ anything in our house. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Oh my gosh! 2 YEARS! That is insane!!!
Thanks Katharine, we can’t get enough either!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training FIles says
Girl we are on the same wave length today! Crockpot quinoa dishes! Not the slicing our fingers off….
Can’t wait to try this. It has D’s name ALL over it!
Taylor Kiser says
D would LOVE it, and C would LOVE yours!
as would I!
we win. Thanks friend!
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
I don’t usually have any battles with knives but I DO have battles with all things hot – like the inside of my oven, my slow cooker (yep, I’ve burned myself on my slow cooker!) and my cast iron skillet! Glad you didn’t actually chop off your finger. 🙂 Totally digging this recipe, Taylor. It’s my kinda meal.
Taylor Kiser says
That takes talent to burn yourself on a slow cooker 😉
Thanks so much Julie!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
I don’t cut myself all that often, but OH THE BURNS. My oven is my archnemesis (in the burning-my-fingers category, not the it-bakes-me-delicious-cookies category). So I’m all about the slow cooker recipes when it comes to avoiding personal injury (though I have actually burned myself on my slow cooker before, too <– WINNING). This one looks and sounds fab!
Taylor Kiser says
OHH Burns are the worst! Luckily, I am more on the cutting myself side of injuries. (is that lucky?)
You ARE winning with no slow cooker burns. GO YOU! Thanks girl!
ashley - baker by nature says
This looks so damn good, Taylor. It’s been waaay too long since I’ve had BBQ anything. Must change that!
Taylor Kiser says
Yes, you must! Thank you!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Oh my gosh, I am totally in the knife-boat as you. I seriously don’t think I’ll ever have a single finger on my hand that doesn’t have knife-cutting wounds on it. LOL.
Gahhh and this chicken? Uh, LOVING it! Crockpot, BBQ and quinoa thrown into the mix? Imma faceplant. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Then we can just tell people “you should have seen the other guy” haha!
Thanks girlfriend!!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
Lol! Your hubby is too sweet. I also will say a prayer for you today that you don’t have any more knife mishaps in the kitchen so you can keep all your fingers and be safely left unattended. Haha! I love any recipes that get out my crock pot. I’m all in on this one. Looks delicious! Happy New Year, lady!! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
I thought it was cute too 😉 Thanks for the extra prayers and love Sarah! Happy New Year girl!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
This looks so delicious!! I really think I could eat this for dinner every night!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Cate!
Matea says
It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one who manages to cut myself when cooking! I could use one of those “soft knives” too 🙂 ha
Taylor Kiser says
I think we should invent them 😉
Kelly s. says
Glad your finger isn’t chopped completely off 😉 and hope it heals very soon.
I want to try this recipe, and soon! But the directions are missing (ingredients list posted twice?) and I’m not confident enough to improvise myself! Thanks for double checking this. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much!! I didn’t realize, Fixing it now!
Kelly s. says
Yay – or, yum! – thank you!
Taylor Kiser says
Of course!
Chelsea+@chelseasmessyapron says
Taylor this looks and sounds AMAZING!!! You know how much I love me some crockpot quinoa 🙂 And the flavors in this one – YUM! Also so sorry about your finger 🙁 Happy New Year!
Taylor Kiser says
I knew you would be a fan 😉 Thanks so much girl, Happy New Year!
Julia says
The sun would never chop fingers off! bahahaha! Every time I get a new knife, I cut myself umpteen times until my fingers really feeeel the breadth of the thing. It’s a damn shame, knives. Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em. This crock o’ pig…I needs!
Happy New Year, sister!
Taylor Kiser says
RIGHT. I knew that you would understand 😉
Thanks for the love and Happy New Years right back atcha!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Holy yum! I would be diving into my crockpot too if it was filled with this amazingness!!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks girl!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
Oh no!! So sorry about the kitchen accident!! Hope it heals up soon.
Awkward transition, but this crockpot quinoa is totally rocking my socks! Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! I like awkward 😉 Thanks Lisa!
Kristi Rimkus says
This is a very cute story. I think your hubby had the right idea by banning that knife from your kitchen. This recipe sounds delicious. Have a terrific weekend!
Taylor Kiser says
I think so too, he is a smart man 😉 Thanks Kristi!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
Love everything about this other then the cutting your finger off part! So glad your fingers ok and you really didn’t cut it all the way off..lol..
Taylor Kiser says
Haha thanks Serena!
CakePants says
Mmm…BBQ chicken quinoa sounds super tasty! I really have to get a slow cooker one of these days. I hope your finger heals quickly! My boyfriend is kind of like that with knives. He cuts himself about 50% of the time when he’s cooking – makes me nervous!
Taylor Kiser says
You don’t have a slow cooker?! You totally need one!
I guess there has to be one finger cutter per couple 😉 Ha! Thanks CakePants!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This looks so yummy!! I love BBQ chicken 😀 and with quinoa…mmm. Totally lol’ed at your story – glad you didn’t cut your finger off! Happy New Year Taylor!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha thanks girl! Happy New Year!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
And here we were thinking you were a leopard/tiger hybrid.
If a severed finger can produce this beauty, you need the knife back. I LOVE BBQ CHICKEN so this is a winner! Pinning, winning and grinning. (Well not grinning, it’s really hot here).
Taylor Kiser says
Hahaha #tayfierce 🙂
You and me both, I can’t get enough BBQ Chicken goodness – thanks Arman. I’ll take yo’ sun!!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
Definitely my favorite crock pot dish! Yum:)
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much!
Amanda says
This looks like such a satisfying meal, I can’t wait to try it!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Amanda!
ATasteOfMadness says
Okay, that’s it. I NEED to get a crockpot!! This looks so good! Chicken and quinoa is my favorite combo!
Taylor Kiser says
Yes you DO, they are SO helpful!! Thanks girl!
Michelle @ Modern Acupuncture says
Eek! So glad you didn’t really chop your finger off! This recipe looks so good. I have to start cooking more (so my boyfriend isn’t always expected to make dinner) and the crock pot is my JAM. Can’t wait to try this!
Taylor Kiser says
I LOVE my crockpot girl! I hope you and your man love this – thank you! 😀
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Yum, yum. yum – I’m in dire need of some lightened up dinner ideas this week. Christmas was not good for my waistline!! Love BBQ chicken and with Quinoa?! YUM! My crockpot has barely been away recently, so will be making this!
Also, I’m fairly sure my partner is getting close to banning me from sharp implements… how I actually haven’t lost a limb yet I don’t know! 😉
Taylor Kiser says
Is it good for anyone’s waistline 😉 Ha!
Thanks Annie…I am glad I am not the only one!
tammyt says
This may sound stupid… Are you using prepared quinoa or straight from the box?
Taylor Kiser says
Nope, not dumb at all! It’s straight from the box- dry 🙂
Kari says
This sounds great! This might be a dumb question, but do you put uncooked quinoa in the crockpot?
Taylor Kiser says
Totally not dumb! You put it in uncooked so the slow cooker cooks it for ya! Thanks Kari, I hope you love it!
Amanda says
That dish looks amazing!! Pinned ♥ Also, I feel your pain… I cut myself every. single. time. I use a new kitchen tool. Not just knives, I got a new vegetable peeler… yep, took a chunk out of my thumb. New handheld grater? I zested my finger. *sigh* for me, cooking is a contact sport 😛
Taylor Kiser says
Zested your finger?! OW!!!! But I am glad I am not alone 😉 Thanks Amanda!
Karly says
This is my kind of dinner! So glad you still have all of your fingers intact! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha thank you Karly! 😀
ashley says
Trying to find this recipe, not showing up anywhere. Originally saw on pinterest and bought all the ingredients but now the recipe is nowhere to be found. Is there any way to get it? Thanks! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Hi Ashley! Sorry for the inconvenience! I’m working with the owner of the website that it’s posted to get it up ASAP. If it’s not up tonight, I’ll email it to you. I’m just not home to do so at the moment. Sorry!
Taylor Kiser says
Just letting you know it’s back on the website – thanks!
Ashley says
Awesome, thanks! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
Taylor Kiser says
Anytime! I hope you love it – please let me know! 😀
kristi@inspirationkitchen.com says
Great dish Taylor and try to keep all your fingers where they belong!
Taylor Kiser says
I’ll try my hardest! Thanks Kristi!
Audrey says
This looks so amazing, but where is the recipe? I’m not seeing it..maybe it’s just me..
Taylor Kiser says
There’s a sentence at the bottom of the post that says “I’m sharing this recipe on WholeYum today!” Just click that and you’ll get the recipe. I hope that helps! Thanks!
Sarah says
Taylor – I just threw this all in the crockpot but I am missing where it tells me what to do with the liquid smoke. I have never used liquid smoke before so perhaps it’s obvious what to do but for a liquid smoke novice like me, can you tell me at what point I use it? Thanks a ton
Taylor Kiser says
Hi! Sorry I couldn’t get to this – travelling! You just throw it in with everything! It’s not NECESSARY, but you’re quinoa just won’t be as ‘smokey”
I hope that helps!! Let me know how it turns out please!
Kristi says
This looks like such a great recipe! Can’t wait to try it. I was just curious- how many people do you think it serves?
Thanks!
Taylor Kiser says
I usually say 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa per person, so I would say 4 people! MAYBE 6 if you have smaller appetites 🙂 I hope that helps – let me know if you try it!
Kristi Bussell says
Ok thank you!
Michelle Gardner says
Late to the party-just found this website but the link to the recipe isn’t working.
Taylor Kiser says
I’m sorry, I’ll try to get it fixed!
Amanda says
The link to this recipe still doesn’t work. This is one of my fave crock quinoa recipes and now I don’t have access to it anymore. So much sadness! Do you have a copy of the recipe somewhere else? I beg you to share if you do!!!
Taylor Kiser says
It will be up soon I promise, I have been emailing with them EVERY SINGLE DAY. Unfortunately, I had a huge virus attack my computer awhile back and it completely killed all my files, and the recipe was included. I’m sorry. Please keep checking as it WILL come back!
A says
After all the hype from the “quinoa pizza ” page, and this whole page of talking it up… And the recipe is gone!
My tastebuds are crying.
Taylor Kiser says
They are working on fixing it – sorry!
Angela says
Just wondering – has the link been fixed and it’s my computer that’s the issue, or is there still a problem with the link? I can’t get the BBQ chicken quinoa recipe. GAH!
Taylor Kiser says
I’m sorry – it hasn’t! They keep telling me “today” but it never is and I can’t do anything. Again, so sorry!
Jennifer Whitworth says
Really random question….what does it mean when it says “combine all ingredients UP TO THE LIQUID SMOKE” so do I add that too? Or do I add that after the chicken breasts? Thanks for the clarification!
Taylor Kiser says
Add it too! 🙂
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
This recipe will always be special to me, because I still remember this is the FIRST dinner recipe I cooked for my husband and I when we were married 3.5 years ago! We love it; need to make it again soon 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
This makes me SO happy!!!! Thank you for letting me know <3
Ashley Gonzalez says
So if I’m going to use 1 pound chicken instead of 1/2 pound would I just double everything else in the recipe?
Taylor Kiser says
Yes,but it might affect the cook time. I can’t tell you for sure as I haven’t tried cooking that much, just keep that in mind!
Liz says
Not sure if my last comment went through, but I love, love quinoa and this dish is fabulous!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Liz!
gerry speirs says
Sounds and looks amazing!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks!
Jennifer Blake says
Love the added protein from the quinoa in this recipe. Anything I can make in the crockpot, especially during the cool weather months is a total bonus with me!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I love easy casserole dishes and this one is super YUM!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you!