The Most Underrated Soup of the Middle East - Freekeh Chicken Soup

freekeh

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Quinoa is a nutritious gluten-free alternative, while bulgur is often less expensive.

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner, and chicken thighs are more affordable than breasts.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers healthy fats, while canola is budget-friendly.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lighter, and seasoned water can cut costs.

Add plenty of hot water to a large saucepan and season with peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, and salt.

Add whole, uncut chicken breasts to the saucepan.

Turn on the stove to high and cook the chicken breasts for 20 to 25 minutes on medium to high.

While the chicken is cooking, wash the freekeh in a large bowl or fine mesh colander, checking for stones or impurities, then rinse with cold water.

Peel and finely dice the onion and crush the garlic cloves with a mortar and pestle or finely chop them.

After cooking, remove the chicken breasts from the water and set aside, keeping the water for broth.

Place a fine mesh colander over a bowl and pour the water through it to discard the spices, setting aside the broth.

Heat olive oil in the now-empty saucepan and add the crushed garlic, frying briefly to release flavors.

Add the onion and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until translucent.

Add the washed freekeh to the saucepan and season with salt, pepper, and optionally seven spice and turmeric, stirring well and frying for a minute.

Add the reserved chicken broth and a chicken stock cube, stirring to combine, then bring to a boil on medium to high.

If using cracked freekeh, cook for about 15 minutes, and for another 7 to 8 minutes with the chicken; if using whole freekeh, cook for about 30 to 35 minutes before adding the chicken.

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer.

Shred the cooked chicken into small pieces while the freekeh cooks.

After about 20 minutes, add the shredded chicken to the saucepan and stir.

Cook the soup for another 7 to 8 minutes until the freekeh is tender.

Pour the soup into small bowls and optionally garnish with finely chopped parsley or cilantro, serving with fresh lemon.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: