Chourba: Algerian White Chicken Soup for Winter Nights

Algerian chourba is a distinct soup combining chicken, vegetables, and an egg yolk mixed with lemon to achieve a creamy consistency. Adding cinnamon and finely chopped parsley enhances the taste and aroma.

You can make chourba in a variety of ways depending on your preferences. You can use beef, chicken, or any protein of your choice. The absolute ingredient is the creamy mixture of egg yolk, lemon, and parsley.

While chourba is one of my favorite soups, I recently discovered you’ll love Afghan noodle soup for its spicy and vegan feel too. Both recipes share similar ingredients, like olive oil and vegetables, and are ideal for winter.

However, there’s something unique about chourba. 

Let’s find out!

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How to Prepare Algerian Chourba

Key Ingredients

• ½ tbsp salt: to taste
• 1 tbsp ghee: a traditional butter made from cow milk. Ghee has low lactose compared to butter.
• 1 tbsp olive oil: The presence of antioxidants in olive oil protects your body from harmful chemicals and chronic diseases. 
• ½ tbsp pepper; rich in vitamin C and gives a spicy feel to the chourba. 
• ¼ cup vermicelli: these thin noodles are rich in fiber and weight loss. It’s a perfect blend for soups like chourba.
• 1 stick cinnamon: This traditional herb protects your guts and reduces aging. It also lowers inflammation and improves the health of your heart. 
• Hot water, 4 cups 
• 2 chicken drumsticks: Chicken is a good source of protein. It’s rich in vitamin B6 and phosphorus and helps relieve stress. A perfect protein for chourba in my opinion.
• 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight, washed, and rinsed: Chickpeas have a high content of dietary fiber which helps in digestion. They have plant-based proteins that are good for your kidneys. 
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed

Ingredients for the Egg Mixture

• 1 egg yolk: You can count on egg yolks to boost your immune system and hair health. 
• 1 tbsp lemon juice: helps in digestion, helps in absorbing iron, and aids in weight loss.
• 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley: this herb is rich in vitamins K, C, and A providing nutrients for the body. 

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Step-By-Step Guide to Prepare Chourba

1. Put the olive oil and ghee in a saucepan on medium heat. 
2. Add the cinnamon stick, chopped parsley, and minced onion. Toss in the chicken drumsticks. 
3. Add the cubed chicken breasts. Marinate the chicken with spices of your choice, including salt and pepper, a few hours before cooking. For added advantage, marinate overnight and refrigerate.
4. Mix the chicken with the ingredients and allow the sauce to cook for 10 minutes on low heat. 
5. Add the chickpeas and cook for about 3-5 minutes. 
6. Pour in enough hot water to cover the chicken. Cover the pot and let the chourba cook for 30 minutes. 
7. Once the big chicken drumsticks are cooked, scoop them out of the soup onto a clean plate and shred them to separate the meat from its bones. Set the bone aside and add it back into the pot. 
8. Scoop about one ladle of soup into a bowl and set aside.
9. Afterwards, add the vermicelli to the soup of chourba and allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes.
10. While it’s cooking, prepare the egg mixture. Break the egg and separate the yolk. Add the yolk to the ladle of soup set aside and add one teaspoon of lemon juice and two tablespoons of finely chopped parsley. Mix it quickly and pour it into the soup. Stir gently and allow it to boil for two minutes.
11. Consequently, turn off the heat. Let the chourba settle for a minute, then serve.

Tips for Preparing Chourba

• You can opt for lamb in place of chicken for a customized soup. Season the meat with cloves of garlic, ginger, and other spices. 
• Moreover, vegetables like cilantro, celery, turnips, and tomatoes are ideal if you want a reddish soup. 
• Another key point is to use a teaspoon of cinnamon powder if you don’t have the sticks.
• Additionally, always serve chourba hot. 

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Conclusion

On winter nights when the cold seems to take hold of your bones, chourba is the best soup to energize you. This unique Algerian recipe includes ingredients you can find in your kitchen or a shop near you. 

Let me know how the cooking went.

Happy holidays!