Chicken Freekeh Soup (With Homemade Broth)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken drumsticks (870 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large onion (peeled and cut in half)
• 1 large carrot (cut in half)
• 3 bay leaves
• 6 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 black peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion (peeled and finely diced)
• 1 large carrot (peeled and finely diced)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seven spice (or substitute allspice)
• 1 1/2 cups whole freekeh (picked through for stones and rinsed clean)
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
• lemon wedges

Steps

1. 1

   Note: You can use ready-made broth and cooked shredded chicken, If so, skip ahead to the making the soup section.

2. 2

   In a large soup pot, start by heating the olive oil on medium heat. Then sprinkle the chicken drumsticks with the salt and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly golden.

3. 3

   Add the carrot, onion, bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and peppercorns. Stir to toast the spices lightly.

4. 4

   Cover the pot with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and simmer on medium heat for 45 minutes.

5. 5

   Remove the chicken and strain the broth and set it aside. Use two forks to shred the chicken and remove all the bones.

6. 6

   In the same pot used for the broth, wipe the bottom of the pot dry. Add the olive oil on medium heat, then add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the chopped carrots and the spices. Stir for 1-2 minutes.

7. 7

   Add the freekeh and stir to toast it for 1-2 minutes. Then, add water to cover the contents of the pot (at least 4 to 6 cups) and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and simmer on medium heat for 45 minutes. Stir the freekeh periodically and add more water as needed. The freeekeh is cooked once it is tender with a chewy texture.

8. 8

   Add the shredded chicken to the pot, stir and adjust salt to taste. You can add more water if you like a more soupy consistency. If you do add water, make sure to allow it to simmer for 10 minutes so the flavors develop.

9. 9

   Serve with a generous squeeze of lemon juice and chopped parsley for garnish.