Garlic Chickpea Soup

Finding a satisfying, filling soup recipe that doesn’t take hours to make can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Between juggling work deadlines, after-school activities, and everything else life throws our way, most of us don’t have the luxury of letting a pot simmer all day on the stove. That’s why this garlic chickpea soup has become my go-to recipe: it’s hearty and comforting, comes together in under an hour, and uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Options for Substitutions – This cozy soup recipe is pretty adaptable and you can make several easy swaps if needed:
Chickpeas: While chickpeas are the star here, you can use white beans (like cannellini or great northern) instead. Just keep in mind the texture will be a bit creamier.
Potato: Any type of potato works well here – russet, yellow, or red. You could also swap it with sweet potato or even cauliflower for a different flavor profile.
Vegetable broth: Out of veggie broth? You can use chicken broth if you’re not keeping it vegetarian, or simply use water with an extra pinch of salt and herbs.
Fresh herbs: If you have fresh rosemary or thyme, feel free to use those instead of dried – just double the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil will work here, though olive oil adds nice flavor. Try avocado oil or even butter if you’re not keeping it vegan.
Paprika: Regular paprika works great, but you can try smoked paprika for a deeper flavor, or swap it with ground cumin for a different spin.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking…
The biggest challenge when making garlic chickpea soup is rushing the garlic cooking process – burning the garlic in the first step will create a bitter taste that’s impossible to fix, so keep the heat medium-low and stir frequently until it’s just golden. Another common mistake is not mashing some of the chickpeas against the side of the pot while cooking – this simple step releases their natural starches and creates a thicker, creamier soup without adding any cream. For the best texture, don’t overcook the potatoes as they can become too mushy and fall apart completely – test them with a fork after about 15 minutes of simmering, they should be tender but still hold their shape. To bring out the full flavor of the herbs and spices, make sure to bloom them in the oil with the garlic for about 30 seconds before adding the liquid ingredients.

What to Serve With Chickpea Soup?
This hearty chickpea soup pairs perfectly with a chunk of crusty bread or warm pita for dipping into that garlicky broth. Since it’s already pretty filling with the chickpeas and potato, I like to keep the sides simple – maybe a light Mediterranean salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon juice. For extra flavor, try toasting some pine nuts or pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top of the soup, along with a drizzle of good olive oil. If you’re serving this for dinner, some quick-roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers on the side would round out the meal nicely.

Ingredients:
For the chickpea purée:
1 can chickpeas, with liquid
For the soup:
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp paprika
3 large garlic cloves (freshly minced for best flavor)
1 large potato (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 can chickpeas, drained
olive oil for drizzling

Ingredients:
Step 1: Prepare the Chickpea Purée – Start by pouring one can of chickpeas, including its liquid, into a blender. Blend until you achieve a smooth purée. Set this aside as it will form the creamy base of your soup.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic – In a medium-sized pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until it becomes fragrant and begins to release its aroma.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients and Stir – To the pot with sautéed garlic, add the puréed chickpeas, the second can of drained chickpeas, cubed potato, paprika, rosemary, thyme, chili flakes, and freshly cracked pepper. Stir everything together to combine. Pour in the broth and give it another good stir to ensure all elements are incorporated.
Step 4: Boil and Simmer the Soup – Place a lid on the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the soup to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer gently for about 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to blend the flavors nicely.
Step 5: Adjust Seasoning and Serve – After 25 minutes, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning to fit your preference, keeping in mind the salt content of your broth. You might want to add about ¼ teaspoon of salt. Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly ground pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired. Enjoy it with a piece of crusty bread for dipping to enhance the experience!

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