Maraq Digaag (Spiced Chicken Soup)
This aromatic and revitalizing soup is the lesser known sibling of maraq ari, a traditional Somali goat soup beloved for both its nutritious and healing properties. Maraq digaag is a comforting soup to turn to in times of sickness. This soup is thick and filling, thanks to the addition of potatoes, and has small hints of heat due to the jalapeño, plus the layered flavors of the xawaash spice blend. Eat it as it is, with bread, or with the noodles of your choice mixed in. The fresh chile invigorates this comforting soup, but the heat level is entirely up to you; you can remove the jalapeño early for a milder soup or keep it throughout, spicing up the broth for as long as you’d like.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 8 persons
Ingredients
- 1 ½tablespoons olive oil
- 1medium white onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 ½pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½lemon, juiced
- 2teaspoons fine sea salt
- 3medium tomatoes, diced
- 4teaspoons xawaash (see Tip)
- 4to 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1handful cilantro, rinsed and roughly chopped
- 1medium carrot, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1small jalapeño, stemmed and cut in half
- 1medium russet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- Muufo or noodles (both optional), for serving
Instructions
Step 1
In a large pot over medium heat, warm up the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly golden, 6 to 7 minutes.Step 2
Meanwhile in a medium bowl, combine the chicken thighs, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt.Step 3
Once onions have softened, stir in the tomatoes and cover. Cook tomatoes until they have softened and broken down, 5 to 6 minutes. Move the tomatoes to the sides and make space in the middle of the pot, turn the heat to medium-high and add in the chicken, cooking 2 minutes per side.Step 4
Once the chicken has cooked through, turn the heat down to medium-low, add in the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the xawaash, garlic, cilantro, carrot, jalapeño halves and 3 cups of water. Cover and cook for 13 minutes, mixing occasionally.Step 5
Add the potatoes, cover and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. You can keep the chicken thighs whole or break them down into smaller chunks with a spoon.Step 6
Serve the maraq on its own, with bread, or with the noodle of your choice mixed in.