Chicken Barley Soup Recipe

When life hands you a chilly evening, grab a spoon and dive into my cozy chicken barley soup—it’s like a warm hug in a bowl, packed with hearty veggies and tender chicken to keep your soul snug and happy.

What could be more comforting than a bowl of Chicken Barley Soup? When health is the issue, nothing beats it.

Here’s why:

1. There’s a lot of chicken in it, and if you want cancer-fighting power, eat more chicken, says Susan M.

V. McBride, R.D., a nutritionist based in Houston.

2. It’s loaded with barley, an incredibly nutritious whole grain.

It’s rich in fiber, protein, and vitamins, plus minerals like potassium and magnesium. 3.

And then there are the veggies: onions, carrots, and celery. They’re good for you, too—packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Chicken Barley Soup Recipe Ingredients

• Olive Oil: Rich in healthy fats; enhances flavors and adds a silky texture.
• Onion: Provides a savory base with natural sweetness; full of antioxidants.
• Garlic: Offers depth and aroma; known for its immune-boosting properties.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness; high in beta-carotene and fiber.
• Celery: Crunchy texture; good source of vitamin K and hydration.
• Chicken Thighs: High in protein; tender and juicy, perfect for soups.
• Pearl Barley: Nutty flavor; packed with fiber and essential minerals.
• Thyme: Aromatic herb; enhances flavor with earthy notes.
• Parsley: Freshness and bright finish; high in vitamins and antioxidants.

Chicken Barley Soup Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

How to Make this Chicken Barley Soup Recipe

1. Place a large pot on medium heat and put in the olive oil. When the oil is warm, put in the diced onion and sauté it. In about 5 minutes, you should have a translucent onion, and it’s time to move on to the next step.

2. Blend in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute more until it becomes aromatic.

3. Stir occasionally while adding sliced carrots and celery to the pot, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have just begun to soften.

4. Position the chicken thighs, which are both boneless and skinless, on top of the veggies. Then, take the chicken broth and pour that in. Now, doesn’t it look like a hard, just cooked, 10-minute plus delicious chicken meal that YOU cooked?!

5. When the water reaches a boil, lower the heat so that the liquid simmers. Stir in the pearl barley, dried thyme, and bay leaf.

6. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed, then cover the pot with a lid.

7. Allow the soup to simmer for approximately 45 minutes, with stirring from time to time, until the barley achieves tenderness and the chicken cooks all the way through.

8. Take out the chicken thighs from the pot, and using two forks, shred the chicken. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.

9. Eliminate the bay leaf and make any necessary adjustments to the seasoning with an adequate amount of salt and pepper.

10. Mix in the fresh parsley and, if desired, lemon juice. Serve hot and enjoy!

Chicken Barley Soup Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large pot with lid
2. Wooden spoon or spatula
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cup
7. Forks (for shredding chicken)
8. Ladle

FAQ

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?Absolutely! You can use chicken breast instead of thigh. However, compared to breast, chicken thighs are more flavorful, more tender, and usually more forgiving to work with.
• How can I make this soup vegetarian?Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and leave out the chicken thighs. You can add more vegetables or tofu if you want extra protein.
• Can I freeze this soup?This soup can be frozen very nicely. Let it cool completely before putting it into airtight container. You can then place the container in the freezer, where it will keep for about three months.
• Is there an alternative to pearl barley?Certainly! Pearl barley can be replaced with farro, quinoa, or rice.
• How long does this soup last in the fridge?The soup will keep for as long as 4 days in the refrigerator, in an airtight container.
• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?You absolutely can. First, sauté the onion and garlic, then add all the components to the slow cooker. Cook it on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Chicken Barley Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Olive oil: Use canola oil or vegetable oil in its place for a flavor that’s more neutral.
Use shallots or leeks for a different aromatic base. Onion:
Garlic: Substitute with garlic powder or roasted garlic for a not-so-strong flavor.
Chicken thighs: Swap out for chicken breasts or turkey for a leaner choice.
Quinoa or farro may be used as substitute grains for pearl barley.

Pro Tips

1. Brown the Chicken First Before simmering the soup, consider browning the chicken thighs in the pot after sautéing the onions and before adding the vegetables. This step can add extra flavor to the soup by developing a richer, deeper taste from the seared chicken.

2. Infuse More Herbal Flavor Add a bundle of fresh thyme sprigs tied together with kitchen twine instead of dried thyme. This gives the soup a fresher herbal taste and is easy to remove once the soup is done.

3. Deglaze the Pot After sautéing the onion and garlic, consider adding a splash of white wine to deglaze the pot before adding the carrots and celery. This can add another layer of complexity to the soup’s flavor.

4. Enhance with Aromatics When simmering, consider adding a piece of Parmesan rind to the pot. It will infuse the soup with a savory umami flavor, and you can remove it before serving.

5. Rest for Enhanced Flavor After the soup is cooked, consider letting it rest for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together even more, providing a more cohesive and flavorful dish.