Chicken Chorba

4.5

(2)

2 Reviews

"Chorba" comes from the Arabic word for drink, referring to this soup's thin broth. It's popular across North Africa and is prepared in numerous ways—with fish, meat or just veggies. This no-frills recipe was passed down to London-based chef Nargisse Benkabbou from her maternal grandmother. The simple ingredients make a tasty meal that evokes her past. "In Morocco, chorba is often enjoyed during Ramadan, so it always reminds me of the times we used to gather with my family to break the fast," she says. Benkabbou—who frequently flies to Marrakech, where she's the executive chef at L'Mida—aims to celebrate her heritage with every dish. But she doesn't hesitate to add her own modern twist. "I love spicy food," says Benkabbou. "So I always end up adding harissa to my chorba, although it's a bit untraditional."

By Nargisse Benkabbou

Updated on April 18, 2024

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Reviewed by Dietitian

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber High-Protein Egg-Free

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 ¼ pounds chicken wings
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 ⅛ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
6 ⅓ cups water
¾ cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained (see Tip)
2 large white potatoes, peeled and diced
2 medium tomatoes, grated on the large holes of a box grater
1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
4 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti, broken into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken wings, onions, turmeric, salt, pepper and saffron. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and the onions are softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add water and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer gently for 40 minutes.
Add potatoes, tomatoes and tomato paste and increase heat to bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the chicken, chickpeas and potatoes are fully cooked, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add spaghetti and parsley. Simmer until the spaghetti is tender, about 8 minutes. Garnish with more parsley, if desired.

Tip:

If you forget to soak your chickpeas overnight, add a 15-ounce can of chickpeas (rinsed) along with the potatoes in Step 2.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, March 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

471	Calories
20g	Fat
43g	Carbs
31g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 3/4 cups
Calories 471
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 43g	16%
Dietary Fiber 7g	25%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 31g	62%
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Cholesterol 142mg	47%
Sodium 471mg	20%
Potassium 1013mg	22%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Chicken Chorba

Ingredients

Directions

Tip:

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

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