Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Warming soup with roasted chickpeas and seasonal vegetables in fragrant spices

# What you'll 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

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt. Spread 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. Sauté onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add carrot, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper to the 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, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
05 - Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are nearly 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 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 before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas stay crispy even in the hot broth, giving you that textural surprise with every spoonful.
  • One pot (plus a baking sheet) means cleanup won't overshadow the satisfaction of eating something this good for you.
  • The spice blend creates depth without any heat unless you want it, so it works for picky eaters and adventurous ones alike.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned chickpeas—the brine will cloud your broth and add unwanted saltiness.
  • If your roasted chickpeas lose their crunch by the time you eat, roast an extra handful and keep them separate, adding them just before serving.
  • Toasting the spices for just one minute is the secret to avoiding that raw spice taste that makes soup feel flat.
03 -
  • If your broth is low-sodium, taste and adjust salt carefully—you're building a base, not correcting it at the end.
  • The roasted chickpeas are the star, so don't rush that step or skip shaking the pan halfway through for even crispiness.
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