Algerian chicken and vegetable soup is a warm, comforting dish that brings the bold, earthy flavors of North Africa into your kitchen. This soup is rich in both taste and tradition, often made with a medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and tender chunks of chicken. It’s the kind of dish that nourishes the body and soothes the soul.
What makes Algerian soup stand out is its unique blend of spices, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and sometimes cinnamon, combined with garlic, onions, and tomatoes to create a deeply flavorful broth. The addition of chickpeas or lentils boosts the protein content and adds a creamy texture, while carrots, celery, zucchini, and sometimes cabbage make it a truly vegetable-forward dish.
Chicken thighs or drumsticks are commonly used for their richness and ability to hold up well during slow simmering. The meat becomes tender and infused with the spiced broth as the soup cooks, giving each spoonful layers of depth. Some versions of the soup also include a touch of harissa for gentle heat, though it can be adjusted based on preference.
This soup is often enjoyed with warm, crusty bread or flatbreads like khobz to soak up every drop. It’s perfect for cold days, post-fasting meals, or when you simply want a homemade dish that fills you up without weighing you down.
The best part? It’s easy to make in one pot, and leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. You can prepare a big batch and freeze portions for future meals, making it a smart option for busy weeks.
Whether you’re familiar with Algerian cuisine or trying it for the first time, this chicken and vegetable soup offers a wholesome, satisfying introduction. It’s a celebration of simple ingredients elevated by tradition and spice, just the kind of meal that brings comfort to the table.

Ingredients
- 1 chicken cut into pieces
- 2 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 potatoes diced
- 2 Bell peppers chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- parsley chopped, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until softened.
- Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown on all sides.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and spices to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Remove the chicken pieces from the pot and shred the meat. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
What’s cumin? Sounds like something I’d find in a science lab! Idk if I can make this.
This soup is so good! The flavors are amazing!
Used chicken breast instead of whole chicken. Still tasted great! Thx for the recipe!
Eh, wasn’t great. Kinda tasteless if ya ask me.
Tasteless? Nah, it actually has a lot of flavor if ya follow the spices right! You sure you made it properly?
I actually loved this recipe! The spices really bring out the flavor. Maybe you just didn’t use enough seasoning?
I found it a bit too bland, maybe I should’ve added more spice? Not sure if I’ll try it again.
I thought cumin was a spice for desserts, why is it in soup? I’m confused.
Cumin is actually a pretty versatile spice! It’s not just for desserts. It adds a nice earthy flavor to soups and stews.
2 hours? Wow that’s a long time to wait for a soup. I don’t think I have the patience!
Took too long. I thought it would be quicker. Next time, I will use a pressure cooker.
I tried this recipe, but I think I put too much cumin. It was a bit too strong for my taste.
Could this be made with beef instead? I don’t like chicken.
I don’t know about this… chicken and veggies? Sounds kinda boring.
Didn’t have parsley, so I used cilantro instead. It still turned out nice!
Cilantro? Really? I thought that was for Mexican dishes. But if it tasted good, then why not! Next time I’ll try that.
Using cilantro sounds interesting! Glad it worked out for you. I’ve heard it can give a different flavor, but I love taking risks in the kitchen.
This soup is AMAZING! So flavorful and comforting. My family loved it!
I subbed chickpeas for chicken due to a dietary restriction. Turned out well! #veganfriendly
I mixed up the spices and used thyme instead of cumin 😬 still tasty!
I tried making this and it turned out a bit bland. Maybe I didn’t add enough salt? Not sure I’ll make it again.
Maybe try adding some more spices next time! I always throw in a pinch of cayenne for a kick. Seems to really help with flavor!
Bland? I thought you supposed to season it while cooking. Did you follow the instructions? 🤔
I followed the recipe but it turned out kind of bland. Maybe i didn’t use enough spices?
This is basically chicken soup but with a fancy name! Not impressed at all.
Delicious!!! Best soup I’ve had in ages! Will definitely make it again!
So easy to make! My kids helped with the veggies. It’s a fun recipe!
Best soup ever! I add some hot sauce for extra kick. Yum!
Absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing and my family loved it. Will definitely make this again!
Yummy! ❤️ Best soup I’ve made in a while! So warming and hearty!
Two hours is kinda long, I cooked it for just an hour and it was fine. Not worth the wait.
I think 2 hours is necessary for the flavors to really blend! But if you’re in a hurry, I guess 1 hour works too. Just might not taste as great! 🍲
Simple recipe yet so delicious. My family loved it!
This soup is amazing! So flavorful and warming. My whole family loved it!