Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Print)

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

# 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 drained chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, 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 onion and garlic, sauté for 2-3 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 cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Toast spices for 1 minute to release their aromatic oils.
05 - Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, bringing mixture to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Stir in kale or spinach and half of roasted chickpeas. Simmer additional 5 minutes until greens are wilted and fully tender.
07 - Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with remaining roasted chickpeas. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas stay crispy even when they hit the hot broth, giving you that textural surprise in every spoonful.
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day, which honestly feels like a small kitchen victory.
02 -
  • Don't skip roasting the chickpeas separately; that crispy texture is what makes people sit up and take notice, not just another mushy legume situation.
  • Taste the soup before adding all your salt because the broth already contains sodium, and you'll find you need less than you'd think.
03 -
  • Toast your spice blend for a full minute if you have the time; it wakes up their essential oils and transforms them from background players into stars.
  • Add the lemon juice at the very end, not before, because its brightness is meant to surprise you on the first spoonful rather than simmer away.
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