Chicken Barley Stew
A hearty chicken and barley stew packed with vegetables and savory herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners and full of robust flavors.
Ingredients
- 28 oz. can tomatoes, undrained and cut into pieces ⓘ
- 2 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 2 c. sliced carrots ⓘ
- 13 3/4 oz. can chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 1/4 c. water
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. regular pearled barley ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes ⓘ
- 2 tsp. dried basil leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. ground pepper ⓘ
- 2 c. cooked chicken, cut in 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour ⓘ
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, combine tomatoes with their liquid, celery, carrots, chicken broth, water, onion, barley, parsley, basil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cover.
- Place on medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
- Add cooked chicken to the mixture and heat through.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing the onion, celery, and carrots in a bit of olive oil before adding the other ingredients. If you don't have pearled barley, you can substitute with quinoa or brown rice, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can also enhance the dish. For a thicker stew, mix a bit more flour with water and stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Barley Stew is delicious on its own, but you can serve it with crusty bread or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. For a cozy touch, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs on top before serving. It pairs beautifully with Hidden Valley Chicken for a delightful dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the stew in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the stew thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Barley Stew contains roughly 1683 calories, with 26g protein, 173g carbohydrates, and 117g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (193% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (130% of the Daily Value), and iron (124% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2519mg per serving (110% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen vegetables in this stew?
Yes, you can substitute fresh vegetables with frozen ones. Just be sure to add them during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking. Frozen vegetables can save time and still provide great flavor and nutrition.
How can I make this stew spicier?
You can also experiment with adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky depth.
Is there a vegetarian option for this stew?
Absolutely! You can replace the chicken with chickpeas or lentils for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the chicken entirely. This will create a hearty and flavorful vegetarian version that everyone can enjoy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).