Smoky Tomato Chickpea Hearty Soup (Printable Version)
A rich, comforting blend of fire-roasted tomatoes, tender chickpeas, and smoked paprika creating a deeply satisfying Mediterranean-style bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Tomatoes & Broth
07 - 1 (28-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
08 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
→ Legumes
09 - 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Finishing Touches
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
17 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
# How To Make:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using); cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
04 - Pour in fire-roasted tomatoes (with their juices), vegetable broth, chickpeas, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup directly in the pot, leaving some chickpeas whole for texture (or blend 1–2 cups in a blender, then return to the pot).
07 - Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoked paprika creates this incredible depth that makes people think you cooked it all day
- Its one of those rare soups that actually satisfies you completely without needing bread on the side
02 -
- Dont skip the partial blending step—its what transforms this from a chunky vegetable soup into something creamy and restaurant-worthy
- The soup tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch and plan for leftovers
03 -
- If you want even more smokiness, add a pinch of chipotle powder or a drop of liquid smoke along with the spices
- A splash of coconut milk stirred in at the end adds incredible creaminess and makes it feel even more luxurious