Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Warming soup with roasted chickpeas and seasonal vegetables in aromatic spices

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - 1.5 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 Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss drained chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crisp and golden brown.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 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 red bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Toast for 1 minute, allowing the spices to release their aromatic oils.
05 - Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are nearly tender.
06 - Stir in kale or spinach and half of the roasted chickpeas. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until greens are wilted and all vegetables are tender.
07 - Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the pot. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with remaining roasted chickpeas. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro or parsley.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas stay crispy even in the broth, giving you that unexpected texture contrast that makes each spoonful interesting.
  • Those warm spices—turmeric, cinnamon, coriander—create a depth that tastes like you've been simmering this for hours, but it's done in under an hour.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you're not sacrificing anything; you're just cooking what's genuinely delicious.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step for your spices—it's the difference between a good soup and one that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The roasted chickpeas only stay crispy for about an hour, so if you're making this ahead, roast them fresh right before serving.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half—it reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day when all those spices have settled in.
  • Add your lemon juice right before serving because heat will diminish its brightness, and you want that fresh pop at the very end.
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