Country Chicken And Barley Soup
A hearty country chicken and barley soup packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, perfect for comforting family meals or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs, skinned ⓘ
- 1/2 cup barley ⓘ
- 5 1/2 cups chicken stock ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery, chopped ⓘ
- 3 small carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1 large tomato, peeled and chopped ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- dash of oregano ⓘ
- dash of thyme ⓘ
- dash of cayenne pepper ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, except parsley, in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat.
- Simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove chicken thighs; cool slightly. Remove meat and cut into bite-size pieces.
- Return meat to soup. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes; stir in the parsley and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth, consider browning the chicken thighs in the saucepan before adding other ingredients. You can substitute quinoa for barley if desired, which will cook faster. If you like more greens, add spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking. For a richer flavor, try adding a splash of white wine when sautéing the garlic.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread for dipping or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Frances' Delicious Turkey for a festive occasion. For a flavorful twist, sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top before serving. This soup is perfect for meal prep or a cozy family dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock if the soup thickens too much. This soup also freezes well for up to 3 months; just let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Country Chicken And Barley Soup contains roughly 430 calories, with 16g protein, 93g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (91% of the Daily Value), iron (88% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (51% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. However, chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and tender after cooking. If using breasts, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they cook faster and can dry out.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make this soup vegetarian, replace chicken thighs with chickpeas or lentils for protein. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and add more vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for added flavor and texture.
What can I do if the soup is too thick?
If the soup turns out too thick, simply add more chicken stock or water until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir well and let it simmer for a few minutes to heat through. This will also enhance the flavors of the soup.
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).