Chickpea Potato Soup is my go-to comfort food when the temperature drops and I need something warm, filling, and incredibly easy to make. This nourishing bowl combines tender chickpeas, creamy potatoes, and aromatic spices in a way that feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket.
I still remember the first time I made this soup on a particularly rainy Tuesday. I had just a few pantry staples and wasn’t sure what to cook for dinner. I tossed chickpeas, potatoes, and spices into a pot, and within 35 minutes, my kitchen smelled amazing. The result was a creamy, flavorful chickpea potato soup that has become a weekly staple in my home. It’s incredibly forgiving, works with whatever vegetables you have on hand, and always delivers that soul-warming comfort we all crave on chilly evenings.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need for This Cozy Chickpea Potato Soup
I always use Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe because they break down slightly during cooking, creating a naturally creamy texture without any cream. Pro tip: don’t skip rinsing your chickpeas, as it removes excess sodium and makes the soup taste fresher.
- 1 can (15 oz) low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
- 2 medium carrots, chopped into rounds (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
My ingredient tip: I prefer smoked paprika over regular paprika because it adds a subtle depth that makes this chickpea potato soup taste like it simmered for hours. If you can only find regular paprika, the soup will still be delicious, just a bit less smoky.
How to Make the Best Chickpea Potato Soup
I recommend using a large, heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution, which prevents the vegetables from sticking or burning at the bottom.
Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrots, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent and soft. This creates a flavorful base for your chickpea potato soup.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until you can smell the spices blooming. Watch carefully here because garlic can burn quickly and turn bitter.
Step 3: Toss in the diced potatoes and rinsed chickpeas. Stir everything together for about 2 minutes, making sure each piece gets coated with the aromatic spice mixture. This step helps the flavors penetrate the vegetables. Keep your potato pieces consistently sized at 1/2-inch for even cooking.
Step 4: Pour in the vegetable broth until it covers the ingredients by about 2 inches. Bring everything to a rolling boil over high heat (this takes about 2-3 minutes), then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Let the chickpea potato soup simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork and they start breaking apart slightly. The soup should have thickened naturally from the potato starch. The broth will look slightly cloudy and creamy.
Step 6: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. This brightening touch balances all the earthy flavors perfectly. Taste and add salt and black pepper as needed. Since we used low-sodium ingredients, you’ll likely want to add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt depending on your preference.
Pro tip: If you prefer a creamier texture, use a potato masher to gently mash about a third of the soup right in the pot. This creates a thicker, more luxurious consistency while keeping some chunky texture.
Perfect Pairings for Your Chickpea Potato Soup
This soup is hearty enough to stand alone, but pairing it with complementary sides makes it even more satisfying.
Crusty sourdough bread: The tangy flavor and chewy texture are perfect for soaking up every last drop of this chickpea potato soup. The contrast between crispy crust and soft interior adds textural interest to each bite.
Simple arugula salad: Peppery arugula with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the soup’s richness and adds fresh, bright notes. The slight bitterness balances the earthy chickpeas beautifully.
Garlic naan: Warm, buttery naan is ideal for scooping and creates a more substantial meal. The garlic complements the soup’s aromatic spices perfectly.
Roasted Brussels sprouts: Their caramelized, slightly sweet flavor adds another dimension to your meal while boosting the vegetable content. They’re especially good in fall and winter when both the soup and sprouts are most comforting.
More Comforting Soup Recipes to Warm Your Table
This Mediterranean-inspired chickpea potato soup complements a variety of other warming soups perfectly. For creamy potato lovers, try our Creamy Pioneer Woman Potato Soup with its simple ingredients, or indulge in the loaded Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup featuring bacon and ranch flavors.
Expand your healthy soup collection with our nourishing One Pot Creamy Carrot Lentil Soup that’s also vegan and gluten-free, or the vegetable-rich Winter Minestrone Soup packed with seasonal ingredients. For dairy-free options, explore our Dairy-Free Baked Potato Soup. When you want something heartier, try the Cheesy Crockpot Potato Soup with Ham or the Italian-inspired Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
Storing and Reheating Your Chickpea Potato Soup
This soup actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I recommend letting it cool completely before refrigerating to maintain the best texture and prevent bacterial growth.
For reheating, transfer the desired portion to a pot and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of vegetable broth or water since the potatoes absorb liquid as the soup sits. The chickpea potato soup will thicken considerably when cold, so don’t worry if it looks too thick at first.
Pro tip: this soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion it into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop. The texture stays remarkably consistent after freezing, making it perfect for meal prep.
Common Questions About Chickpea Potato Soup
Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?
Absolutely! Use 1/2 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked until tender before adding to the soup. This gives you more control over texture, though canned chickpeas make this chickpea potato soup truly quick and convenient.
What if my soup is too thick?
Simply add vegetable broth or water, 1/4 cup at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The potatoes release starch as they cook, which naturally thickens the soup, so thinning is completely normal.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Saute the onions, carrots, garlic, and spices in a pan first for best flavor, then transfer everything to your slow cooker with the remaining ingredients (except lemon juice). Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in lemon juice before serving.
Ready to Make This Comforting Bowl?
This chickpea potato soup proves that simple ingredients can create something truly special. With just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a nourishing, flavorful meal that warms you from the inside out. The combination of protein-rich chickpeas, creamy potatoes, and aromatic spices creates a perfectly balanced soup that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself on a busy weeknight or serving a crowd on a chilly evening, this recipe delivers every single time. Try this chickpea potato soup tonight and discover your new favorite comfort food. Don’t forget to squeeze that lemon juice in after removing from heat for the brightest, freshest flavor!
PrintChickpea Potato Soup
A heartwarming, creamy soup combining tender chickpeas and potatoes with aromatic spices. Perfect comfort food that’s easy to make.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
- 2 medium carrots, chopped into rounds (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and carrots, cooking for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Add minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Toss in diced potatoes and rinsed chickpeas, stirring for 2 minutes to coat with spice mixture. Keep potato pieces consistently sized at 1/2-inch for even cooking.
- Pour in vegetable broth until ingredients are covered by 2 inches. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat (about 2-3 minutes).
- Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and breaking apart slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice. Taste and add salt and black pepper as needed (about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt).
Notes
- Use Yukon Gold potatoes for naturally creamy texture as they break down slightly during cooking.
- Rinse chickpeas to remove excess sodium and improve flavor.
- For creamier texture, mash about one-third of the soup with a potato masher.
- Soup thickens when refrigerated; add broth when reheating to reach desired consistency.
- Keep potato pieces consistently sized at 1/2-inch for even cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg






