🍋 Lemony Chickpea & Potato Pilaf

You’ve had rice pilaf before… but never like this. ✨
This hearty yet refreshing dish combines golden roasted new potatoes, fluffy rice with a cozy touch of allspice, protein-rich chickpeas, and fresh dill + lemon for brightness. Tossed in a creamy lemon-dill tahini sauce, it’s plant-based comfort food with main character energy.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the pilaf

• 1 cup long-grain rice (basmati or jasmine)

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp ground allspice

• Pinch of salt

For the roasted veggies

• 1 lb new potatoes, halved

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained & rinsed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt + black pepper, to taste

Fresh additions

• Juice + zest of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

• ½ cup fresh basil, torn

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Creamy Lemon-Dill Tahini Dressing

• ¼ cup tahini

• 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp maple syrup (or agave)

• 1 garlic clove, grated or minced

• 2–4 tbsp cold water (to thin)

• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

• Salt + black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Make the pilaf
   Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add rice and toast for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden. Stir in broth, allspice, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for ~15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.

2. Roast the potatoes
   Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for ~25 minutes, until golden and crisp.

3. Crisp the chickpeas
   On a separate tray (or with potatoes), toss chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for ~20 minutes, until lightly crisp.

4. Make the dressing
   Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, and garlic. Add water gradually until smooth and pourable. Stir in dill, season with salt and pepper.

5. Assemble the pilaf
   In a large bowl, combine rice pilaf, roasted potatoes, and chickpeas. Add lemon juice, zest, dill, basil, and scallions. Toss gently.

6. Finish & serve
   Drizzle with creamy lemon-dill tahini sauce. Garnish with extra dill or basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

✨ Benefits: Chickpeas provide plant-based protein + fiber, potatoes are potassium-rich for heart and muscle function, dill + basil add antioxidants, and lemon boosts vitamin C and enhances iron absorption. Allspice brings a cozy warmth and digestive support.

This Lemony Chickpea & Potato Pilaf with Dill is proof that comfort food can be healthy, vibrant, and crave-worthy. Serve it at a fall dinner party, meal prep it for the week, or let it shine as the star of your table. 🌿🍋🥔