Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup

5 from 6 votes

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Savory, slightly spicy Chickpea Soup is a wonderful way to get your serving of important vitamins and minerals, plenty of protein, and fantastic flavor. With the addition of shrimp and corn, it has the feel of a classy, complex dish – but it’s so easy to make! It’s hearty but not heavy, and takes just 30 minutes to prepare.

white bowl with Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup


A healthy bean soup is perfect to prepare year-round. It’s full of ingredients you can find canned or frozen, and can be easily dressed up with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a splash of lime juice.

This particular recipe is rather substantial with the addition of shrimp and rice. It’s definitely a main course – not a soup to be served before the meal! Jalapeños and cumin add iconic Mexican flavors, brightened by the limes for an overall refreshing taste.

I personally find chickpeas to be one of the best ways to get protein without opting for the more traditional, meat-based options. However, if you do want some extra protein, I recommend trying my Caldo de Res, another classic Mexican soup with vegetables as the base – but with beef.

overhead shot of Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

  • Raw Shrimp – Clean and remove the tails, or else you’ll find yourself with a messy shrimp soup that’s not very easy to eat. If working from frozen, let thaw in the fridge overnight or flash thaw in bowl of cold water beforehand. 
  • Onion – I use white onion, but yellow or red will work just as well.
  • Jalapeños – If you prefer less heat, you can add red pepper flakes (for mild heat) or smoked paprika (for no heat at all). 
  • Corn Kernels – Canned or frozen work just fine, though I love grilling corn and slicing the kernels off fresh. For that, you’d need 3 or 4 ears of corn. 
  • Chicken Stock – Use bouillon if you’d like, or replace with a vegetable stock if preferred. 
  • Chickpeas – Also known as garbanzo beans, this is the one ingredient you won’t want to replace when making chickpea soup.
  • White Beans – Optional, but great for adding more protein and substance to this shrimp soup recipe. 
  • Zucchini – You can replace with yellow squash or any vegetable you might like. 
  • Rice – I make shrimp soup with white rice, but brown or wild rice are appropriate as well. Use a long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati. 
  • Lime Juice – Acidity is crucial to add depth and complexity to any soup. Lemon juice is always a decent substitute for lime.
ingredients to make Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup

HOW TO MAKE CHICKPEA SOUP

1. Sauté the Onion and Garlic. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium high. Toss in the onions, stirring until translucent. Follow with the minced garlic and stir fry for a couple of minutes.

2. Sauté the Additional Vegetables. Add the jalapeño, corn, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper and stir for another 4 minutes. 

3. Add the Shrimp, Stock, & Herbs. Follow with the cleaned and shelled shrimp, chicken stock, and half of the chopped cilantro. Stir well to combine.

4. Add the Beans. Add the chickpeas and white beans. Allow the whole thing to simmer for 10 minutes. 

pan filled with cooked Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup

5. Add Zucchini and Rice. Finally, drop in the zucchini and rice, stir well, and simmer for a final 3 minutes.

6. Top, Serve, & Enjoy! Divide the soup among 6 bowls, sprinkle the remaining cilantro on top of each, and squeeze lime juice on each. Serve immediately.

overhead shot of two bowls of  Chickpea Soup

Is chickpea soup good for you? 

There are plenty of nutrients and health benefits to be found in this healthy bean soup:

  • Chickpeas contain manganese, vitamin B9, and are rich in protein.
  • White beans have loads of fiber, and have plenty of potassium and iron.
  • The zucchini contributes vitamins A, C, and K to the mix.

 Keep in mind that this dish does have 659 calories, and everything is best in moderation.

Do you peel chickpeas for soup? 

There’s no need to peel the individual chickpeas before adding to the soup. Some recipes are better off without the chickpea skins, such as hummus or when roasting, but it isn’t necessary when making chickpea soup.

You certainly can take the time to remove the skin from each individual bean, but I don’t find it to be necessary.

How long does leftover chickpea soup last in the refrigerator? 

As this is a chickpea and shrimp soup recipe, you really don’t want to keep leftovers for any longer than a couple of days. Frozen, this soup will last you much longer – around 3 months or so.

To reheat, return to a pot over medium heat, stirring regularly until the beans and shrimp are warmed through the center. You can also microwave in a covered, microwave-safe bowl.

closeup of Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup
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Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup

5 from 6 votes
Chickpea Soup is hearty but not heavy, served with a spiced broth and loaded with healthy beans, succulent shrimp, corn, and plenty of rice.
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium high heat, add the oil and sauté the onion several minutes until translucent. Add the garlic, cook another 2 minutes.
  • Add the jalapenos, corn, cumin and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4 more minutes, stirring often.
  • Add the shrimp, chicken stock and half the cilantro, stir to mix in thoroughly.
  • Add the chickpeas and optional beans, simmer for 10 minutes. Add the zucchini and rice, stir and simmer for 3 minutes more.
  • Serve in bowls with squeeze of lime and remaining cilantro on top.

Notes

  1. You can either use frozen, thawed (roasted) corn, or grill 3-4 ears of corn and cut from the cob, or use drained canned corn kernels.

Nutrition

Calories: 659kcal | Carbohydrates: 102.1g | Protein: 36.2g | Fat: 13.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.1g | Cholesterol: 102.5mg | Sodium: 954.3mg | Fiber: 11.6g | Sugar: 15.5g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!
ready to serve Shrimp Corn and Chickpea Soup

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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