If you’re looking for a meal that offers pure comfort, incredible flavour, and a surprising amount of goodness, we think you’ve come to the right place. A dish that feels like a reassuring hug in a bowl, it’s just the thing for a cool evening or whenever you need something deeply nourishing to lift your spirits. Allow us to introduce you to our rich, velvety, and utterly delightful Creamy Garlic Chickpea Soup.

This is more than just a simple soup; it’s a culinary tribute to straightforward, wholesome ingredients elevated into something remarkable. We blend the humble, protein-rich chickpea with a whole head of lusciously roasted garlic, which imparts a flavour that is both mellow and deep. The outcome is a wonderfully smooth soup that delivers on all fronts, demonstrating that you don’t require lashings of cream or butter to create something truly divine. It’s one of those healthy dinner recipes you will find yourself making again and again.

The Magic of Roasting Garlic

Before we get to the recipe itself, we must shine a spotlight on its true star: roasted garlic. If your only experience with garlic is raw or briefly fried, you are in for a delightful surprise. Roasting a whole head of garlic completely transforms its sharp, pungent character. The cloves soften, caramelise, and take on a beautiful sweetness. This magical process mellows its intensity, leaving a rich, nutty, and sophisticated flavour that is the very heart of our soup. It’s a simple technique that elevates this dish from lovely to unforgettable, making it an essential try for any fan of garlic lovers food.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Wonderfully Simple and Speedy: Ready in less than 40 minutes, it’s one of our favourite quick soup ideas for those hectic weeknights. Much of this time is hands-off as the garlic roasts to perfection.
• Incredibly Creamy Without the Cream: Its wonderfully creamy consistency is achieved not with cream, but by blending the chickpeas, which release their own natural starches for a velvety feel that is both indulgent and light.
• Packed with Plant-Based Protein: As a brilliant source of plant-based protein and fibre, chickpeas make this a substantial and satisfying vegetarian protein soup that will leave you feeling nourished and full for hours.
• Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: This recipe relies on store-cupboard staples, meaning you probably have essentials like tinned chickpeas, onions, and stock ready to go. It’s an exceptionally budget-friendly choice.
• Rich and Complex Flavour: The harmony of sweet roasted garlic, fragrant herbs, and a final squeeze of zesty lemon results in a complex flavour profile that tastes as though it has been simmering for hours.

Ingredients

• 1 whole head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tins (400g each) of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 litre of high-quality vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 2 fresh sprigs
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Optional: 50ml coconut milk or cashew cream for extra richness

To craft this truly memorable soup, we turn to simple yet high-quality ingredients. Here is everything you will need:

• 1 whole head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tins (400g each) of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 litre of high-quality vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 2 fresh sprigs
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Optional: 50ml coconut milk or cashew cream for extra richness

Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Creamy Garlic Chickpea Soup

Creating this soup is a wonderfully straightforward and enjoyable experience. We have broken down the method into four simple stages to help you transform basic ingredients into a stunning final dish.

1. Prepare and Roast the Garlic

This initial stage is essential for creating the soup’s distinctive depth of flavour. We promise it’s worth the little extra effort!

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6).
2. Trim the very top from the head of garlic, just enough to expose the individual cloves.
3. Set the garlic head on a square of foil, drizzle generously with about one tablespoon of olive oil, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Fold the foil around the garlic to form a tight parcel. Place it in the preheated oven and roast for 25–30 minutes, until the cloves are tender, aromatic, and pale golden.
5. After roasting, allow it to cool for a few minutes before gently squeezing the soft, fragrant cloves from their papery skins. They should glide out with ease.

2. Sauté the Aromatics and Simmer

As the garlic roasts, you can begin building the soup’s flavourful foundation on the hob.

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, warm the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over a medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring now and then, until it has softened and turned translucent.
3. Stir in the squeezed roasted garlic cloves, rinsed chickpeas, dried thyme (or fresh sprigs), and smoked paprika. Cook for another minute until the aromas are released.
4. Pour over the vegetable stock, bring the liquid to a boil, then lower the heat, pop on the lid, and allow it to simmer gently for 15 minutes to let the flavours meld.

3. Blend to Silky Perfection

This is where the magic happens, transforming the rustic ingredients into a beautifully smooth and elegant soup.

1. If using fresh thyme, remember to remove the woody sprigs from the pot.
2. For the easiest and cleanest method, use an immersion blender to blitz the soup directly in the pot until it reaches a perfectly smooth and creamy consistency.
3. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup to a stand blender in batches. Crucial Safety Note: Let the soup cool a little first and avoid overfilling the jug. Remove the centre cap from the lid and cover the opening with a clean tea towel to let steam escape safely.
4. After blending, if you wish for extra richness, this is the time to stir through the optional coconut milk or cashew cream.

4. Season and Serve

These last few touches are what will make your soup truly sing. It’s all about balancing the flavours before serving.

1. If necessary, return the soup to the hob over a low heat to warm through.
2. Stir through the fresh lemon juice; this is key for brightening the flavours and adding a lovely lift to the dish.
3. Now, taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper until the flavour is perfectly balanced.
4. Serve the hot soup in bowls, finished with a garnish of chopped fresh parsley, an extra drizzle of good olive oil, and another twist of black pepper.

How to Serve and Store Your Soup

Our Creamy Garlic Chickpea Soup is wonderfully adaptable. We find it is perfect served with a thick slice of crusty bread for dipping, or with a simple green salad for a light yet complete meal. To add a delightful crunch, try topping it with crispy roasted chickpeas, croutons, or even a swirl of plain yoghurt.

Planning your meals for the week? This soup is a fantastic start. While some evenings call for indulgent family favourites like our Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe, this soup provides a lighter yet equally satisfying option. And if you’re looking for another comforting classic, you can’t go wrong with these amazing Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders.

Any leftovers will keep beautifully. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The soup may thicken slightly once chilled; simply thin it with a little water or stock when reheating on the stove or in the microwave.

FAQ

A Bowl of Comfort You Deserve

And there we have it – a simple yet elegant recipe for a deeply nourishing Creamy Garlic Chickpea Soup that we are sure will become a staple in your kitchen. It truly is proof that you don’t need complex methods or pricey ingredients to make something utterly delicious. It’s the epitome of comfort food that’s also wonderfully good for you.

We hope you’ll try this recipe the next time you’re in the mood for something warming and wholesome. It’s an ideal dish to help you relax after a busy day while nourishing your body. And please, have fun with the toppings!

If you do make our soup, we would be delighted to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out, or tag us in your pictures on social media. Enjoy your cooking!

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Whip up our incredible Creamy Garlic Chickpea Soup! This velvety, healthy vegetarian recipe is packed with flavour and ready in 40 minutes. The perfect comforting meal.

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 whole head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tins (400g each) of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 litre of high-quality vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 2 fresh sprigs
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Optional: 50ml coconut milk or cashew cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan). Prepare garlic head with oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 25-30 mins. Meanwhile, sauté onion in a large pot until soft.
2. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the pot with the chickpeas, herbs, and stock. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Blend the soup until perfectly smooth. Stir in lemon juice, season to taste, and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.