Chicken Kale Soup Crispy Chickpeas (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and nutrient-packed kale paired with crispy roasted chickpeas for a wholesome meal.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Soup

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
13 - 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Crispy Chickpeas

15 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and thoroughly dried
16 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
17 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
18 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
19 - ¼ teaspoon salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F for roasting chickpeas.
02 - Toss dried chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, shaking halfway until golden and crisp. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Incorporate garlic, thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and optional crushed red pepper flakes; stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add chicken pieces, reduce heat to simmer, and cook for 10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
06 - Stir in chopped kale and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until wilted and tender.
07 - Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous handful of crispy chickpeas.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Wholesome and comforting
  • Healthy twist with crispy roasted chickpeas
02 -
  • For a vegetarian version substitute chicken with cooked white beans and use vegetable broth
  • Store crispy chickpeas separately to maintain crunch
03 -
  • Add a parmesan rind during simmering for extra flavor remove before serving
  • Squeeze extra lemon over each bowl for brightness
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