Easy One Pot Quinoa Recipe

Name: Easy One Pot Quinoa Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 1 1/2 cups chickpeas ((1 15-ounce can) drained and rinsed); 1 teaspoon paprika; Salt to taste; 1 medium yellow onion (chopped); 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 inch ginger (minced); 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 large sun-dried tomatoes ((jarred, packed in oil) chopped); 3/4 cup passata (or strained tomatoes); 1 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth; 1 cup quinoa; 1/3 cup raisins (chopped); 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Quinoa, olive oil, chopped onion, garlic, ginger, sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley, paprika, chickpeas, golden raisins, vegetable broth, and strained tomatoes in glass containers on a white marble board.

Ingredients for Easy One Pot Quinoa with Chickpeas

Quinoa is a protein-rich, high-fiber seed. It's naturally gluten-free and a great substitute for rice and other grains. It cooks in just 15 minutes and is very versatile.
Chickpeas add protein, fiber, and iron. They contain about 15 grams of protein per 1 cup serving.
Sun-dried tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly lycopene which is a powerful anti-cancer nutrient.
Passata (strained tomatoes) is uncooked tomato purée that has been strained of seeds and skins.
Golden raisins add a welcome touch of sweetness but are optional.

See recipe card for quantities.

🌿 Substitutions

Chickpeas - you can omit the chickpeas and serve easy one pot quinoa as a side dish instead

Sun-dried tomatoes - optional ingredient

Golden raisins - use Thompson, black raisins, or dried cranberries instead, or omit entirely

Parsley - substitute with chopped fresh cilantro or omit as desired

If you are a fan of roasted chickpeas, try my Roasted Chickpea & Veggie Bowl, or this White Bean Soup with Quinoa, which both involve only one pan for easy cleanup. Visit my Veggie Bowl Recipes page on this site for more easy vegan dinner ideas.

📖 Instructions

Seasoned crispy roasted chickpeas on a stainless steel rimmed baking tray.

Step 1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chickpeas and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add paprika and salt. Cook for 7 minutes more, or until golden, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large dish or sheet pan in a single layer.

Dry quinoa, vegetable broth, cooked onion, garlic, and ginger, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and strained tomatoes in a large white skillet.

Step 2. Heat more olive oil in the same skillet. Add the onion and a dash of salt. Cook for 4 minutes before adding the garlic, ginger, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, strained tomatoes, vegetable broth, and quinoa.

Cooked tomatoes and grain in a white nonstick skillet with parsley and golden raisins on top.

Step 3. Bring to a simmer before reducing the heat. Cover and cook over low-heat for about 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked. Add the raisins and parsley and mix to combine.

Cooked grain with crispy chickpeas in a white skillet with chopped parsley and a gray spatula.

Step 4. Stir in in the crispy chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper.

Cooked quinoa, chickpeas, tomatoes, onion, spices, and parsley in grey lunchbox with sliced orange, chocolate and blackberries. With plastic cutlery.

Meal prep Easy One Pot Quinoa ahead of time and pack it for lunch.

💡 Expert Tips

If you are not using pre-rinsed packaged quinoa, place the quinoa in a sieve and run it under cold water for about 2 minutes before cooking. This removes the bitter-tasting saponins.

Place the crispy chickpeas in a single layer until the quinoa is done cooking. This way they won't soften.

Check one pot quinoa after 20 minutes for doneness. Add more liquid as needed and continue cooking until the quinoa is cooked through.

To make this recipe in 25 minutes, toss the chickpeas in the olive oil, paprika, and salt and roast them in the oven at 425ºF on a baking sheet while the quinoa is cooking.

Storage: Make this ahead of time. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Do I have to rinse quinoa?

Most quinoa that is sold in packages has been "pre-rinsed," which means the bitter-tasting compound (saponin) coating the seeds has been removed. In this case, rinsing isn't necessary. Otherwise, place the quinoa in a sieve and run it under cold water for about 2 minutes before cooking. Rinsing is not essential, but helps make it more palatable.

How do I get the chickpeas crispy?

Dry the chickpeas with paper towel or a dish rag to remove excess moisture so they don't steam. Heat the oil before adding the chickpeas to the skillet. Use a large enough skillet so the chickpeas have space to brown. Pan-fry in a single layer. Toss intermittently, leaving them to cook undisturbed for a minute or so at a time.

How do I reheat easy one pot quinoa & chickpeas?

The quinoa tends to stick to the bottom if you use a saucepan. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350ºF for about 10 minutes, or use a microwave.

📖 Recipe