Durum Wheat Chicken Soup- Frikeh

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!

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Ingredients for Durum Wheat Chicken Soup

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

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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!

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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

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