Garlicky Quinoa with Toasted Pine Nuts, Chives, and Parsley

I wanted a healthy and easy side dish recipe to pair with the chicken and asparagus I was serving for dinner. I found some quinoa in the pantry, so I made this garlicky quinoa with toasted pine nuts, chives, and parsley. I loved the fresh flavor the herbs gave to this side dish, and the salty, crunchy pine nuts added great texture and taste. We all loved this quinoa side dish and thought it paired nicely with some chicken cutlets with a tarragon sauce and Dijon-lemon asparagus.
Garlicky Quinoa with Toasted Pine Nuts, Chives, and Parsley
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- ½ cup of quinoa
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup of toasted pine nuts
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, snipped
How to Make Garlicky Quinoa with Toasted Pine Nuts, Chives, and Parsley
Heat the butter or olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot, and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
Add the quinoa and minced garlic, then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
Add the chicken broth, then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, stir, and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, then let sit covered for 5 minutes.
Remove the lid, then fluff with a fork.
Add the pine nuts, parsley, and chives, then toss to mix evenly. Taste and re-season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately. Enjoy.
Equipment
- Small saucepan with lid
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 shallot finely diced
- ½ cup of quinoa
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 cup of chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives snipped
Instructions
- Heat the butter or olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot, and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
- Add the quinoa and minced garlic, then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Add the broth, then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, stir, and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, then let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid, then fluff with a fork.
- Add the pine nuts, parsley, and chives, then toss to mix evenly. Taste and re-season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy.



Love the simplicity of this dish and it’s healthy too. Delish!
What a fun, easy side dish!
I still have yet to make quinoa! I have had it a couple of times, but never actually cooked with it… must change that soon!
Quinoa is my favorite go to side dish unfortunately my family does not agree! This looks delicious!
seems to be healthy and easy to make..
This is a great recipe and looks so fresh, healhthy and easy!
I love finding new uses for quinoa! Love that there are chives in here..it’s one of my favorite herbs!
Yum and tum, anything with pine nuts is superb
So many dishes can be created with quinoa – who would have thought it possible.
Thanks for sharing this easy and flavorful quinoa dish, Pam! I’ve actually never cooked with it and need to get on that! I think I’ll start with this.
Love this garlicky quinoa. Anything garlicky is a win for me!
Man, I was going to make quinoa tonight too!
A simple yet very nutritious side dish, Pam.
I’ve only tried quinoa a few times but I really like the sound of this.
what a lovely way to prepare quinoa! pine nuts are truly underrated.
Wonderful!!