This Keto Spiced Chicken Broth Soup combines Middle Eastern-inspired spices like cinnamon and cloves to create a rich, aromatic dish perfect for warming up on chilly days while staying on track with your low-carb goals. Slow-cooked to perfection, this golden broth is packed with flavor and nutrients ideal for weight loss or meal prep.
History of Lebanese Spiced Chicken Broth Soup
Lebanese spiced chicken broth soup, commonly known as “Shorbet Djaj” or “Shorbet Freekeh” (when made with freekeh grain), has roots in the ancient culinary traditions of the Levant region. The soup represents the intersection of various cultural influences that have shaped Lebanese cuisine over thousands of years.
Chicken soup itself has ancient origins throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, with evidence of broths dating back millennia. In Lebanon specifically, the spiced version evolved through:
The influence of Ottoman cuisine during centuries of Ottoman rule
The introduction of spice trade via Lebanon’s position as a historical trading hub
The integration of ingredients like freekeh (smoked green wheat), which dates back to ancient times in the fertile crescent.
Traditional recipes were passed down orally through generations of Lebanese families, with each region and even each family developing their own distinctive versions.
Why Lebanese People Value This Soup
Lebanese people hold spiced chicken broth soup in high regard for several significant reasons:
Medicinal traditions: Like many cultures, Lebanese families consider chicken soup a natural remedy for illness. The warming spices like cinnamon, allspice, and sometimes star anise are believed to have additional healing properties.
Resourcefulness: The soup exemplifies the Lebanese approach to cooking where nothing is wasted. A whole chicken provides both the meat and the flavorful broth, and any leftover meat can be used in other dishes.
Adaptability: The soup can be made simple or elaborate depending on available ingredients and occasion, from a basic broth with chicken and minimal spices to more complex versions with freekeh, vermicelli, or rice.
Comforting familiarity: The distinctive aroma of cinnamon and other warm spices in chicken broth creates a sense of home and belonging that is deeply tied to Lebanese cultural identity.
Seasonal relevance: While warming during cold winter months, versions with lemon and herbs make it refreshing year-round, showcasing the adaptability of Lebanese cuisine.
Social significance: The soup often serves as the opening course for family gatherings and celebrations, creating a shared sensory experience that brings people together.
The combination of aromatic spices, nutritious ingredients, and cultural significance makes this soup much more than just nourishment—it’s an expression of Lebanese culinary heritage and family traditions.
To enhance the flavor of your Keto Spiced Chicken Broth Soup, consider these techniques:
Add Aromatics: In addition to onions and garlic, sauté some shallots or leeks before adding the chicken and spices. This will deepen the broth’s flavor profile.
Use Umami: Add a teaspoon of fish sauce or a few dried mushrooms to the broth for a rich, savory taste. This will enhance the depth of the dish without adding carbs.
Acidity: Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice into the broth towards the end of cooking. This will brighten the flavors and balance out the spices.
Spices and Herbs: Introduce more Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander powder, or za’atar to complement the cinnamon and cloves. Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro can be added at the end for freshness.
Fat for Flavor: Use a bit more olive oil or add some butter to the broth for added richness. Fat enhances flavors and textures in dishes.
Marinate the Chicken: Before searing the chicken, marinate it in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices to infuse more flavor into the meat.
Upgrade Cooking Liquids: Instead of plain water, use a homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth as the base for your soup. This will add more depth to the dish
Slow-Cooked Cinnamon & Clove Chicken Broth – Keto Magic
Description
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (skin-on, bone-in)
10 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, halved
1 head of garlic, halved
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Build the Broth: Add water to the pot, followed by the onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and coriander seeds. Return the chicken to the pot.
Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 90 minutes. Skim off any foam or impurities periodically.
Strain and Serve: Remove the chicken and strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot. Shred the chicken for serving or meal prep.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro.
Pair with keto-friendly bread or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Meal Prep Tips:
Freeze portions of broth for quick meals during the week.
Use shredded chicken in salads or wraps.
Estimated Cost: $15-20
Nutritional Values (Per Serving):
Calories: ~120 kcal
Protein: ~18g
Fat: ~5g
Carbohydrates: ~2g (net carbs)
