Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Warming soup with roasted chickpeas and seasonal vegetables in fragrant spices

# What You Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 large carrot, diced
07 - 1 celery stalk, diced
08 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
09 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 small onion, chopped
11 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
13 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

→ Broth & Spices

14 - 5 cups vegetable broth
15 - 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
16 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
17 - ½ teaspoon turmeric
18 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
19 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

21 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
22 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss chickpeas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon cumin, and salt. Spread on baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crisp and golden brown.
02 - While chickpeas roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add diced carrot, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper to pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in 1½ teaspoons cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Toast spices for 1 minute to release their aromatic oils.
05 - Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are partially tender.
06 - Stir in kale or spinach and half of the roasted chickpeas. Simmer for another 5 minutes until greens are wilted and all vegetables are tender.
07 - Add fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to your preference.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with remaining roasted chickpeas. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro or parsley.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas add this incredible textural contrast that makes every spoonful interesting – crispy little treasures hiding among the tender vegetables.
  • You can customize the heat level to suit your mood, from gently warming to properly spicy when you need that extra kick on the coldest days.
02 -
  • Saving some roasted chickpeas for topping is crucial – if you add them all to the simmering soup, theyll lose their delightful crunch and just become regular chickpeas again.
  • When toasting the spices, if they start sticking to the bottom of the pot, add a splash of broth immediately to prevent burning, which can make the entire soup taste bitter.
03 -
  • When reheating leftovers, add a fresh squeeze of lemon and a small handful of newly chopped herbs to revive all the bright flavors that might have mellowed in the refrigerator.
  • For a thicker, more stew-like consistency, mash about a quarter of the vegetables against the side of the pot with the back of your wooden spoon during the last few minutes of cooking.
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