Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Print Version)

Warming soup with roasted chickpeas, seasonal vegetables, and fragrant spices.

# Components:

→ 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

# Preparation Steps:

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. Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic 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 until fragrant and bloomed.
05 - Add canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables soften.
06 - Stir in chopped kale or spinach and half of roasted chickpeas. Simmer for additional 5 minutes until greens wilt and vegetables reach tender consistency.
07 - Add fresh lemon juice to pot. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into serving bowls. Top with remaining roasted chickpeas and fresh cilantro or parsley garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas stay crispy as a secret layer of texture that transforms every spoonful, not mushy like they usually get.
  • You can make it on a Tuesday and it tastes even better three days later when the spices have had time to settle in.
  • It's genuinely good for you without pretending to be something it's not—no weird substitutions, just real food.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned chickpeas—the starch coating prevents them from crisping, and you'll end up with sad, soft chickpeas instead of the crispy gems you're after.
  • Toasting the spices for a full minute genuinely changes the soup, so don't rush it or skip it thinking it won't matter, because it absolutely will.
03 -
  • Make the roasted chickpeas a day ahead if you have time—they stay crispy in an airtight container and you've got one less thing to manage on cooking day.
  • If your soup tastes flat after tasting it, it's probably missing salt or lemon juice, not more spices, so reach for those first before adding anything else.
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