Description
Hearty chicken barley soup boasts comforting flavors from wholesome ingredients simmered with care. Home cooks can savor this nourishing meal that warms from within and connects you to traditional culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover)
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until translucent. Introduce garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper, allowing herbs to release their aromatic essence.
- Liquid Infusion: Stream chicken broth into the pot, add rinsed barley and bay leaf. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until barley reaches a tender, delectable consistency.
- Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the simmering mixture, ensuring thorough heating. Discard bay leaf to prevent potential bitter undertones.
- Flavor Elevation: Splash lemon juice into the soup, creating a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the rich broth. Transfer to serving vessels, preparing for the final presentation.
- Finishing Touch: Generously sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the surface, introducing a vibrant green garnish that adds both visual appeal and a crisp herbal dimension. Serve piping hot for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Optimize Vegetable Sauté: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and release maximum flavor during initial sautéing stage.
- Barley Cooking Technique: Rinse barley thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent cloudiness in the soup, ensuring a clear, clean broth.
- Chicken Selection Tip: Use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken for deeper flavor complexity and to reduce overall cooking time.
- Herb Freshness Matters: Use fresh herbs when possible, as they provide more vibrant taste and aromatic depth compared to dried alternatives, transforming the soup’s overall profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg