Moroccan chicken and chickpea soup

(from xombi’s recipe box)

A good winter soup should have a restorative quality. This Moroccan chicken soup recipe makes a comforting lunch to chase away the chill of a frosty day. It is certainly hearty and substantial enough to keep any hunger pangs at bay until dinner time. As the chicken broth, infused with cardamom, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and coriander bubbles away gently on the stove, it fills the kitchen with spicy warmth which never fails to lift the spirits.
It may seem like a long list of ingredients, but the preparation is very simple. I enjoy the heat of the green chilli, but you can remove the seeds to make it milder if you prefer. The apricots may seem like an unusual addition but they are often used in savoury Moroccan dishes and add a touch of subtle sweetness. If I am at home I often make a quick soda bread to serve with the bowls of steaming soup, but any crusty bread makes a good accompaniment.

Source: Great British Chefs

Serves 4 people

Categories: Moroccan

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs, boneless, diced
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 green chilli, chopped
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 5 dried apricots
  • 1l chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp of tomato purée
  • 400g of tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 400g of tinned chickpeas, drained
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1 bunch of coriander, small, chopped
  • 1 bunch of mint, small, chopped
  • 3 tbsp of olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the onion. Fry gently for 7 minutes on a low heat before adding the garlic, green chilli, paprika, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cardamom and cinnamon. Cook for a further 3 minutes until the onions are soft

  2. Add the diced chicken, dried apricots, chicken stock, tomato purée, tomatoes and chickpeas. Simmer for 20 minutes

  3. Add the juice of half a lemon and season to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and mint just before serving

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