Chicken Barley Soup

Chicken Barley Soup Recipe - Delicious and Nutritious

Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 2 hours | Servings: 8

Introduction

Chicken barley soup is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. This recipe combines tender chicken, nutritious barley, and a variety of vegetables to create a delicious and satisfying meal.

History

Chicken barley soup has been a popular dish for centuries, with variations of the recipe found in many different cultures around the world. Barley has long been used as a staple food in many regions, and its nutty flavor and chewy texture make it a perfect addition to soups and stews.

Ingredients

3 lb (1.36 kg) chicken, cut in pieces
0.5 cup uncooked barley
9 cups water
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 celery stalks with leaves
1 small onion
0.5 cup chopped onion
0.5 cup finely chopped carrot
0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp salt
0.5 tsp freshly ground pepper
0.25 tsp celery seed
1.5 cups fresh green beans, cut

How to prepare

Place chicken, water, celery leaves, and a small onion in a large saucepan.
Reserve the celery stalks for later.
Cover the saucepan and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1.5 hours until the chicken is tender.
Remove the chicken from the saucepan.
Strain the broth into a bowl and chill it until the fat sets on top.
Remove the fat from the broth.
Discard the chicken's skin and bones.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set them aside. (Note: If you want less than 8 servings, you can freeze the extra broth and chicken separately in meal-sized portions).
Return the broth to the saucepan.
Chop the reserved celery stalks and add them to the broth along with the chopped onion, carrot, parsley, barley, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Add fresh green beans and the chicken. Continue cooking for 15 minutes or until the beans are tender.

Variations

Add diced tomatoes or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
Use different herbs and spices, such as thyme or rosemary, to change up the flavor profile of the soup.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To save time, you can use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the chicken from scratch.

- For a richer flavor, you can use chicken broth instead of water in this recipe.

- Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables or herbs.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chicken barley soup with a side of crusty bread or a green salad for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Simmering the soup slowly allows the flavors to meld together and creates a rich and flavorful broth.

- Skimming the fat off the broth helps to reduce the overall fat content of the soup.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use pearl barley or quick-cooking barley in place of regular barley in this recipe.

- Feel free to use any type of vegetables you have on hand in this soup.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make this soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

- This soup also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and freeze it in individual portions for easy meals later on.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for a beautiful presentation. - Serve the soup in a bread bowl for a fun and creative twist.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair chicken barley soup with a crisp white wine or a light beer for a delicious meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

- Reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of chicken barley soup contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of chicken barley soup contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of chicken barley soup contains approximately 5 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of chicken barley soup contains approximately 20 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Chicken barley soup is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the barley and may contain allergens from the chicken.

Summary

Chicken barley soup is a nutritious and filling meal that is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is a great option for a healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner.

Summary

Chicken barley soup is a classic and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. This recipe is easy to make and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. Enjoy a bowl of this delicious soup for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I knew it was something special. It was a cold, rainy day and I was flipping through an old cookbook that had been passed down to me from my mother. As I turned the pages, a worn and tattered piece of paper fell out, revealing a handwritten recipe for Chicken Barley Soup.

I had never made Chicken Barley Soup before, but as I read through the ingredients and instructions, I could feel my mouth watering. The combination of tender chicken, hearty barley, and flavorful vegetables seemed like the perfect comfort food for a dreary day like this.

I traced my finger over the faded handwriting on the recipe card, trying to imagine the person who had written it. I could almost picture them standing in a cozy kitchen, stirring a bubbling pot of soup as the aroma filled the room.

I decided then and there that I had to make this soup. I gathered the ingredients and set to work, following the instructions carefully and adding a pinch of love and nostalgia along the way.

As the soup simmered on the stove, the smell of chicken and vegetables wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with anticipation. I couldn't wait to taste the finished product and see if it lived up to my expectations.

Finally, the soup was ready. I ladled a steaming bowlful into a favorite ceramic bowl and took a tentative sip. The flavors exploded on my tongue, warm and comforting, just like I had imagined.

I savored each spoonful, feeling the warmth of the soup seep into my bones and chase away the chill of the day. It was everything I had hoped for and more.

As I sat at the kitchen table, enjoying my bowl of Chicken Barley Soup, I couldn't help but think about all the other recipes I had collected over the years. Each one had a story behind it, a memory attached to it that made it special.

I remembered the time my mother had taught me how to make her famous apple pie, with its flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced filling. I recalled the summer I had spent in Italy, learning to make homemade pasta from a local nonna who had taken me under her wing.

Each recipe held a piece of my past, a connection to the people and places that had shaped me into the cook I was today. And now, this recipe for Chicken Barley Soup would join the ranks of my culinary repertoire, a new favorite to add to the list.

As I finished my meal, I made a mental note to pass this recipe on to my own grandchildren someday, along with the stories and memories that made it special. After all, food is more than just sustenance – it's a way to connect to our past, to share our traditions, and to create new memories for the future.

And so, with a satisfied sigh, I leaned back in my chair and savored the last spoonful of soup, grateful for the recipe that had brought me so much joy on this rainy day. In that moment, I knew that Chicken Barley Soup would always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the power of food to nourish not just our bodies, but our souls as well.