Chia Pilaf With Pesto

What to do with that bag of chia seeds languishing in your pantry? Add them to dinner! Chia seeds add protein and crunch to this simple rice pilaf, which gets a boost of flavor from prepared pesto. Serve with roasted chicken, seared steak, or poached salmon; really, the possibilities are endless. Just adding a tablespoon of seeds to the pot goes a long way since chia seeds expand in volume as they absorb liquid.

Chia Pilaf With Pesto Recipe
Photo: Alison Miksch
Hands On Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Yield:
4 serves

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion

  • 1 ½ cups jasmine rice, rinsed

  • 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

  • 2 teaspoons store-bought pesto

Directions

  1. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Stir in broth and chia seeds. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let steam, 10 minutes. Add pesto and fluff with a fork.

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