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    Home » Soups

    June 5, 2021

    Durum Wheat Chicken Soup- Frikeh

    This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
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    Jump to Recipe

    Durum Wheat Chicken Soup, or what we also call Frikeh, is a deliciously satisfyingly wholesome soup. It’s actually so much more than a soup with its cooked fulfilling durum wheat, the aromatic caramelized onion, succulent shredded chicken, salt, seven spices, and turmeric. It’s a combination that will have you licking your lips after every spoonful!


    Frikeh, Freekah, Freekeh, Farik, Ferek, Freke
    Easy to make and satisfying to eat!

    You can find other frikeh (also spelled freekeh or freekah) in my recipes. This one is different because it has more of a soupy consistency. Frikeh can be prepared with chicken or meat but is more popularly made with chicken as in my Freekeh with Ginger Chicken recipe along with this one. In all its forms, it’s a gratifying meal that is a great comfort food option!


    Frikeh, Freekah, Freekeh, Farik, Ferek, Freke
    A flavorful take on chicken soup!

    Durum Wheat: What is it and what is it used for?

    Durum wheat is one of the two most popular types of wheat used in food prep, coming in second to whole wheat. It is usually planted in the spring and harvested in the fall and thrives in the dry and hot weather of the Mediterranean areas. Durum wheat is a great wheat to grind down into semolina– a coarse flour using in making things like pasta. Furthermore, It can be ground down even more into a finer texture and used to make unleavened bread or dough for pizza and other pies.


    A great chicken soup recipe to add to your soup rotation menu!

    Some benefits of Durum Wheat:

    • rich in fiber
    • high in B vitamins
    • packed with iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc
    • full of antioxidants
    • contains decent amount of protein

    Frikeh, Freekah, Freekeh, Farik, Ferek, Freke
    Between the durum wheat and the chicken, this can be served as a main dish because of how hearty it is!

    Uses for Durum Wheat, Whole or Ground:

    Because durum wheat is is harder than whole or bread wheat, it requires more grinding to produce flour. This can be damaging for starch content which makes it less suitable for making things like bread. So, flour with lower or damaged starch content can’t ferment or rise. But doughs made from durum wheat can be stretched easily and without breaking, making them perfect for making pastas.

    As a whole grain, durum wheat is great when you prepare it like a pilaf similar to rice, quinoa, and bulgur. You can make it as a side dish to a main protein dish like fish, chicken, or meat. You can also prepare it in stew form which is the ever popular Middle Eastern freekeh dish with beef shanks or shredded chicken. Finally, it can be used in soups as I did in this recipe to give added texture and a heartier more filling affect.


    Tips and Tricks for Perfecting Durum Wheat Chicken Soup

    • You can use roasted chicken to make the soup. Just shred it and use frozen or store-bought chicken broth.
    • For a quick and easy way to shred the chicken (especially if you like it finely shredded) is to place it in a deep bowl and use your cake-mixer to pull the chicken apart.
    • If you’d like, you can replace the chicken with beef shanks or meat of your choice. You can even replace your choice of protein with chickpeas and skip the meat and poultry altogether.
    • You can add the onions raw and boil in the broth for added flavor instead of sautéing or caramelizing them.
    • Another great way to enjoy the soup is to add some fresh veggies of your choice like broccoli or carrots.

    Durum Wheat Chicken Soup (Frikeh, Freekeh, Freekah, Farik, Frik) is a wholesome delicious soup that can be a main dish!
    Frikeh is a deliciously satisfying soup that the whole family will enjoy!

    Ingredients for Durum Wheat Chicken Soup

    • durum wheat
    • chicken breast; shredded
    • avocado oil
    •  water 
    • onions; diced
    • seven spices (optional)
    • turmeric

    Preparation and Cooking

    1. To a large pot, add the thawed chicken to cold water. Bring to a boil, then leave on medium heat for about half an hour. 
    2. Using a net remove the foam and gunk that floats to the surface. Remove the cooked chicken, allow to cool and shred using hands or a fork.
    3. To a medium skillet add olive oil and sauté the chopped onions until caramelized.
    4. To the boiling water, add the 2 cups of durum wheat, the caramelized onion, shredded chicken, salt, seven spices, and turmeric. Boil on medium-low for half an hour. Remove from heat and serve warm. Enjoy!

    Durum Wheat Chicken Soup (Frikeh, Freekeh, Freekah, Farik, Frik) is a wholesome delicious soup that can be a main dish!
    One of the most wholesome soups around!

    Other Wholesome Recipes to Enjoy

    • Chicken and Broccoli Fettucine Alfredo
    • Stuffed Cabbage (Malfoof)
    • Lemon Mint Garlic Chicken Stew
    • Sujuk Fatteh or Fattet Sujuk
    • The Best Chicken Healing Soup
    • Beef Shank Layered Fatteh
    • The Best American Beef Goulash
    • Sweet Potato Cajun Rice Bowl
    • Mloukhieh with Chicken
    • Easy Persian Walnut Stew- Fesenjan

    frikeh freekeh freekah farik durum wheat chicken soup

    Durum Wheat Chicken Soup-Frikeh

    Lama
    A wholesome satisfying soup that can be a main dish or a side!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Comment Pin Recipe
    Course Main Course, Soup
    Cuisine Middle Eastern

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups durum wheat
    • 1½ pounds chicken breast shredded
    • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 4 quarts water makes 16 cups
    • 2 medium onions diced
    • ⅛ teaspoon seven spices optional
    • ½ tablespoon turmeric

    Instructions
     

    • To a large pot, add the thawed chicken to cold water. Bring to a boil, then leave on medium heat for about half an hour. 
    • Using a net remove the foam and gunk that floats to the surface. Remove the cooked chicken, allow to cool and shred using hands or a fork.
    • To a medium skillet add olive oil and sauté the chopped onions until caramelized.
    • To the boiling water, add the 2 cups of durum wheat, the caramelized onion, shredded chicken, salt, seven spices, and turmeric. Boil on medium-low for half an hour. Remove from heat and serve warm. Enjoy!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Maria says

      August 09, 2021 at 8:02 pm

      5 stars
      This soup was flavorful and it was easy to make. I love it. Next time i’ll try to use meat with frikeh instead of chicken.
      Thanks for sharing 🌹

      Reply
      • Lama says

        August 16, 2021 at 2:54 pm

        I enjoy it with beef shanks! Thank you for your feedback! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Dalia says

      September 24, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      I have been craving this soup for a long time! My mom sent me some frikeh from lebanon. I will make it very soon and give you feedback ❤

      Reply
    3. Linda says

      October 28, 2021 at 8:02 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is absolutely delicious! I’ve made it twice this month and my kiddos loved it! Thanks

      Reply
    4. Katrina says

      November 04, 2021 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      The soup was wonderful, great on a chilly fall day. The recipe was easy to follow and will definitely be making this again.

      Reply
      • Lama says

        November 07, 2021 at 3:33 pm

        This is a favorite of mine! I will sharing tips on how to cook this recipe using a pressure cooker which makes it creamier 😋😋😋

        Reply

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    I'm Lama, welcome to my blog where you will find simple and diverse recipes your entire family will enjoy. My passion for cooking began after I got married when I challenged myself to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. With the help of my mom over the phone, I was so proud it turned out successful! Today, I share my passion across many social platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest! I am honored to connect with you through the recipes I prepare! about me!

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