First, cook your quinoa: Add 1 cup dry quinoa and 2 cups water (or bone broth for extra protein) to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook according to package instructions (usually about 12–15 minutes). Fluff with a fork and set aside.
While that’s cooking, start the chili: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant and the onion starts to soften.
Now the easy part — dump and stir: Add in the cooked quinoa, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and about 1 cup water. Stir everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I used about ½ teaspoon of each).
Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and cozy.
Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, and corn. If using, add fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Let everything heat through for another 1–2 minutes then enjoy!
Serve warm with your favorite toppings — shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, crushed tortilla chips, etc.