Middle Eastern-Inspired Chicken Dumplings with Chickpeas and Fresh Salad

This recipe is a delightful adaptation of a dish I experienced at one of my favorite Nashville spots, Lyra. Lyra’s dinner event focused on a variety of Middle Eastern dumplings, and while my version isn’t traditional, it carries forward the essence and flavors that made their dishes so memorable. With the inclusion of chickpea flour, vibrant spices, and a fresh, zesty salad, this dish transforms into a comforting, yet refreshing meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Key Ingredients:

• Chicken Broth: Acts as the flavorful base for cooking the dumplings and infusing them with savory depth.
• Ground Chicken: A lean protein choice, but you could substitute ground turkey if you prefer.
• Red Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the dumplings.
• Spices: Ground fennel, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and salt combine to create a robust, aromatic profile.
• Chickpea Flour: This ingredient is essential for binding the dumpling mixture and adding a nutty flavor. It can be found at health food stores, Mediterranean markets, or even major grocery stores with a health foods section.
• Avocado Oil: A neutral oil that’s ideal for sautéing.
• Water: Helps achieve the right consistency in the dumpling mixture.
• Chickpeas: These add a crunchy, satisfying texture when sautéed until crispy.
• Ghee: Provides a rich, buttery flavor, but you can substitute butter or additional oil if needed.
• Celery and Cilantro: For a fresh, crunchy salad that brightens up the dish.
• Lime: Adds a tangy, zesty element that complements the spices and freshens the overall dish.

Enjoy your flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired meal! This dish is not only quick to prepare but also offers a satisfying combination of textures and flavors. Perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive weeknight meal, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

Middle Eastern-Inspired Turkey Dumplings with Chickpeas and Fresh Salad

A non-traditional twist on a Middle Eastern dumpling stew featuring chickpea flour, vibrant spices, and topped with a fresh, zesty salad. This dish transforms into a comforting, yet refreshing meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Middle-Eastern

Servings 4 Servings

Equipment

• 1 Cheese Grater For the red onion
• 1 Small Strainer For your chickpeas
• 1 Large bowl
• 1 Medium pot
• 1 Chef's knife

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 lb ground chicken or ground turkey
• 1 red onion grated
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel seed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper + more to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt + more to taste
• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 3 Tbs ghee or butter or more oil
• 1/2 bunch celery thinly shredded/sliced
• 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves
• 1 lime cut into wedges

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, combine ground chicken and grated red onion.
• Add ground fennel, cumin, turmeric, black pepper and salt. Mix together well.
• Add chickpea flour, mix together.
• Add 1/4 cup oil and 1/2 cup water. Mix together. Let rest for a few minutes to allow chickpea flour to absorb some of the liquid.
• Add chicken broth to a medium/large pot, bring to a boil.
• While you are waiting for broth to boil, in a small bowl, combine shredded celery, cilantro and juice from a couple lime wedges together to make a salad. This will be used to top the dish. Save some of the lime wedges for garnish.
• Once broth is boiling, add the chicken mixture to the boiling both using a small ice cream scoop or 2 spoons (about the size of a golf ball). Keep dumplings in the boiling broth for about 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, add 3 Tbs ghee to a large sauté pan. Heat on med/high heat.
• Add drained chickpeas once oil is hot. Sauté until crispy (not mushy), about 8-10 minutes.
• To serve, add about 5 dumplings to a bowl, then add chickpeas. Add salad on top. Then add a couple small ladles of stock to the bowl. Serve with an extra lime wedge on the side.

Notes

One featured ingredient is Chickpea flour. This can be found at Whole Foods, Turnip Truck or a local Mediterranean/international market. Some traditional grocery stores also carry it if they have a “health foods” section. Bob’s red mill makes one.

I use a cheese grater to grate my red onion.

I like to make very thin strands with the celery. I do this by using a vegetable peeler. Finely chopped celery would also work perfectly fine. 

Keyword Dairy-free, Easy, Gluten-free, Soup