Description
Hearty chicken barley soup brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, warming souls with each spoonful. Nourishing ingredients blend perfectly, creating a wholesome meal that connects you to home-cooked tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover)
- 6 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 0.5 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by gently sautéing diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until they become translucent and fragrant. Introduce minced garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper, allowing the herbs to release their essence for a brief moment.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, creating a flavorful liquid foundation. Add thoroughly rinsed barley and a bay leaf, then elevate the temperature to achieve a rolling boil. Immediately reduce heat, cover the pot, and allow the mixture to simmer gently, transforming the barley into a tender, toothsome grain.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the soup, letting it harmonize with the other ingredients and warm through completely. Carefully remove the bay leaf to prevent any bitter undertones from developing.
- Enhance the soup’s brightness with a splash of lemon juice, which will add a subtle citrusy complexity to the rich, hearty broth. Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, creating an inviting presentation.
- Complete the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the surface, providing a vibrant green garnish that adds both visual appeal and a fresh herbal note. Serve immediately while the soup maintains its comforting warmth.
Notes
- Customize vegetable selection by adding or swapping ingredients like diced zucchini, bell peppers, or sweet potatoes for extra nutrition and flavor variety.
- Toast barley briefly in the pot before adding liquid to enhance its nutty undertones and develop a deeper, richer taste profile.
- Opt for homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought for a more robust, authentic soup experience with heightened depth of flavor.
- Swap chicken with plant-based protein like white beans or tofu to create a vegetarian version that maintains the soup’s hearty, comforting essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg