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    Hearty Healthy Chicken Barley soup

    Published: Feb 28, 2018 · Modified: Apr 26, 2022 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    This chicken and barley soup is delicious, wholesome, and a comforting meal to stay warm during cold weather. Surprise yourself with this healthy and nutrient-packed bowl of warm soup.

    Easy chicken and barley soup recipe -- One pot, healthy, wholesome & nutrient packed soup perfect for lunch or dinner. | watchwhatueat.com

    I love eating soups. Especially during the winter months, when the weather outside is always planning on taking revenge on us, a bowl of warm soup is the real comforter. You will agree with me if you live in areas that experience snowfalls.

    And my love for soups inspires me to try out different recipes in my kitchen. I have shared some successful recipes in the past here for you all to enjoy. In particular, the healthy vegetarian barley soup is one of the most popular soup recipes on our blog to date. It has been shared more than 200,000 times on Pinterest. Your response and love motivate us to keep going on!

    One pot, healthy, wholesome & nutrient packed chicken and barley soup recipe. | watchwhatueat.com

    How to make chicken barley soup?

    Eager to know about this hearty chicken and barley soup recipe?

    As its name suggests, it is made using whole grain barley and chicken. I also used some celery stalks to further boost its fiber content.  And I feel onion, garlic, ginger, and some fresh herbs (I used thyme) are a must to enhance the flavors.

    Stir-fry bite-sized chicken pieces in a stockpot with some seasonings like salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to make this soup. We enjoyed the flavors of smoked paprika in this soup. Take out the chicken once done, and then cook the remaining ingredients (onion, tomato, celery, etc. ) with chicken stock and water until the barley is nice and tender. Step-by-step instructions are given below.

    Easy Chicken Barley Soup | watchwhatueat.com
    Easy Chicken Barley Soup | watchwhatueat.com

    How this chicken and barley soup is healthy?

    This homemade barley soup is healthy due to all the clean ingredients used in making it.

    • Whole grain barley is a rich source of essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, protein, and vitamin B. It is also rich in dietary minerals like manganese and phosphorous. 
    • Chicken is one of the leaner meat. It is a very good source of protein, vitamin B, and niacin.
    • Celery provides low-calorie dietary fiber that helps to lose weight. 
    Healthy, wholesome & nutrient packed chicken barley soup to keep you warm during winter. | watchwhatueat.com

    Try these more healthy soups

    1. Detox Broccoli Soup
    2. Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup
    3. Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower Soup
    4. Vegetable Pasta Soup
    5. Healthy Vegetarian Barley Soup
    6. Browse all HEALTHY SOUPS

    📖 Recipe

    Easy Chicken Barley Soup | watchwhatueat.com
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Hearty Chicken and Barley Soup

    This hearty chicken and barley soup is prepared using whole grain barley, fresh herbs such as thyme, celery, and lean chicken meat. It is a delicious, healthy, nutrient-packed bowl of soup to keep you warm during winter nights.
    Course: Main or Side
    Cuisine: American Inspired,International
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour
    Servings :4
    Calories :385kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

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    Equipment

    • Sharp Knife (10% Code: WATCHWHATUEAT)

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup barley raw
    • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken cut into bite size pieces
    • 2 celery stalks finely chopped
    • 2 medium tomato chopped
    • 1 onion finely diced
    • 2-3 springs of fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
    • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
    • ½" ginger finely julienned
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika divided
    • 3 cup organic chicken stock low sodium
    • 3 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a stock pot on medium to high heat. Add chicken, salt, pepper and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Sauté chicken for about 5-6 min or until tender and all the water has evaporated. Take out the chicken and keep aside
    • In the same pot, add minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant for about 30 sec. Then add onion and sauté until translucent
    • Add chopped tomatoes and cook for about 2-3 min.
    • Add celery, barley, chicken stock and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.
    • Then add fresh thyme, salt, pepper, and the remaining smoked paprika. Simmer the mixture on low heat for about 25 to 30 min.
    • Add cooked chicken, adjust seasonings, if necessary and simmer for about 5 min.

    Notes

    1. You can cook chicken breast or thigh first and then cut them into bite size pieces. However, make sure that the chicken is well done
    2. If you don't like ginger, you can skip it altogether
    3. You can also add vegetables like carrot, spinach, peppers etc. to make it even more healthy (and colorful!).
    4. Looking for meatless version? Follow this recipe to make Vegetable Barley Soup

    Nutrition

    Calories: 385kcal
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.

    « Indian Salmon Curry With Coconut
    30 min Healthy Asian chili garlic tofu stir-fry »
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

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    Hi, we are Swati and Tushar! Our passion for food and cooking has led us to write this blog focusing on healthy recipes to eat well and live well!

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