Description
Lemony Greek Chickpea Soup is a vibrant and nutritious dish that combines the hearty flavors of chickpeas, orzo, and fresh vegetables in a silky broth inspired by traditional Avgolemono Soup. This protein-packed vegetarian delight is quick to prepare, taking just over 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or meal prep. The refreshing notes of lemon juice and dill elevate the soup’s flavor, while its comforting warmth makes it perfect for chilly evenings. Enjoy it on its own or paired with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped yellow or sweet onion
- 3/4 cup finely chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 2 (2-inch) strips lemon peel
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 quarts (8 cups) lower-sodium vegetable broth (sub chicken broth if not making vegetarian)
- 2 (15.5-oz.) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup dry orzo pasta (regular or whole-wheat)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 large whole eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
- 3 handfuls roughly chopped or shredded kale (sub spinach, Swiss Chard, or escarole)
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large stock pot. Sauté onion, carrots, celery, and lemon peel for about 10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Add chickpeas, orzo, salt, pepper, and oregano; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until orzo is al dente.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with lemon juice. Slowly temper with hot broth before adding back to the soup.
- Stir in kale and cook on low heat for 5 more minutes until slightly thickened.
- Garnish with fresh dill before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 186mg