Craving classic chicken parmesan that tastes like its from an Italian restaurant but short on time and energy?
This Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight meal. It takes minimal effort and prep time, plus it uses simple ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes! This recipe is gluten free and nut free. It can be made dairy free, vegan and low fat.
why you’ll love this recipe
- Minimal clean-up: Just one pot/pan for the quinoa and a baking dish for the casserole.
- Scalable: Easily adjust portions for one or a family.
- Leftovers potential: Doubles well for future meals or lunches.
- Skinless, boneless chicken breasts: Lean protein source with minimal fat compared to traditional fried chicken parm.
- Fat-free mozzarella cheese: Cuts down on saturated fat without sacrificing flavor.
- Marinara sauce: Choose a lower-fat spaghetti sauce or make your own with less oil.
- Dairy-free mozzarella cheese: Many meltable vegan cheese alternatives are available.
- Make weeknights easier by assembling the Lazy Chicken Parmesan Casserole ahead of time: Store it covered in the fridge and bake before serving.
ingredients & substitutions
Success Boil-in-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa: This is a quick and easy way to cook quinoa because there’s no measuring and no mess. I used Success Boil-in-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa.
Chicken breasts: The protein base of the dish. You can use boneless, skinless thighs instead if you prefer.
Marinara sauce or pasta sauce: Adds flavor and moisture. Choose your favorite brand or make your own.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts for a cheesy topping. Use a dairy-free shredded mozzarella alternative for a dairy free Lazy Chicken Parmesan Casserole.
Italian garlic and herb seasoning: Adds savory flavor. You can skip it or make your own mixing garlic powder, fresh basil and onion powder in a small bowl.
taste & texture
Expect a mix of textures in this Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole. Fluffy quinoa adds a base, juicy chicken gives savory bites, and melty cheese creates a creamy layer. The rich tomato sauce ties it all together. It’s not a classic crispy chicken parm, but it’s a quick and flavorful weeknight option with comforting textures and familiar Italian flavors.
directions
Step 1
Cook the quinoa: Prepare the Success Boil-in-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa according to package instructions. This usually takes about 10 minutes on medium heat.
Step 2
Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill or air fryer grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill for 10-12 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Make sure to check the chicken is fully cooked with your meat thermometer.
Step 3
Assemble the casserole: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a baking dish, combine the cooked quinoa, chicken pieces, and marinara sauce in a single layer.
Step 4
Season and bake: Sprinkle the Italian garlic and herb seasoning over the casserole. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
expert tips & tricks
- For extra flavor, you can add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to the top before baking.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can bake the chicken breasts in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Simple side dish ideas: serve your Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole with a side of garlic bread or a simple side salad.
- Feel free to mimic more of the traditional chicken parmesan by mixing gluten free bread crumbs with italian seasoning with 1 tbsp of olive oil and adding on top before baking. For a low carb option use crumbled pork rinds on top.
- To give this easy meal a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes on top.
how to make this low fat or healthier
Use fat free cheese on top for a low fat Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole.
how to make this vegan
Swap chicken for plant-based alternatives like tofu, tempeh, or lentil crumbles for a vegan Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole. Use dairy-free mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.
how to serve, store and meal prep
Serve your Easy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole hot out of the oven with a simple green salad or steamed veggies for a balanced meal.
For leftovers of the Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole, store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen portions in the microwave until warmed through, or thaw overnight and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly.
To prep the Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole ahead of time, assemble the casserole in a baking dish, cover tightly, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bake when ready to eat.
To meal prep, bake the Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole according to recipe directions. Portion out each into an individual airtight container. Reheat frozen portions in the microwave until
If you make this recipe and enjoyed it, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Pinterest. Join my exclusive weeknight meal plan group for 5 weekly 30-minute dinner recipes plus a weekly grocery shopping list. I would love for you to follow along!
Lazy Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Casserole (gluten free, dairy free option)
Ingredients
- 1 pouch boil-in-bag quinoa
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2-3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese dairy-free or fat-free
- 2 tablespoons Italian garlic and herb seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa: Prepare the boil-in-bag quinoa according to package instructions. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill for 10-12 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Assemble the casserole: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a baking dish, combine the cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, and marinara sauce.
- Season and bake: Sprinkle the Italian garlic and herb seasoning over the casserole. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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