Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Print Version)

Warming soup with roasted chickpeas, seasonal vegetables, and fragrant spices. Ready in under an hour.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/4 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 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
16 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
17 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
18 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
19 - 1/4 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

# How To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss drained chickpeas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Spread evenly on a 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 a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add diced carrot, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper if using. Toast spices for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to release their aromatic oils.
05 - Add canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
06 - Stir in kale or spinach and half of the roasted chickpeas. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until greens are fully wilted and all vegetables are tender.
07 - Remove from heat and add fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into serving bowls and top with remaining roasted chickpeas. Garnish generously with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas offer two textures in one dish - some melt into the broth while others stay satisfyingly crunchy on top, like having built-in croutons without the gluten.
  • This soup somehow manages to taste even better the next day, when all those warming spices have had time to mingle and deepen.
02 -
  • Never add the leafy greens too early or theyll lose their vibrant color and turn an unappetizing army green, completely changing the visual appeal of your soup.
  • Reserve half the roasted chickpeas until serving time to maintain that crucial textural contrast - the first time I added them all to the simmering soup, I lost the wonderful crunch that makes this recipe special.
03 -
  • Save the aquafaba (chickpea liquid) from the can for other uses - it makes an amazing egg substitute in vegan baking or can be whipped into a surprisingly light foam for cocktails.
  • If you find yourself without fresh herbs, a teaspoon of dried za'atar or herbes de Provence stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking creates a completely different but equally delicious flavor profile.
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