Dude, soup is da bomb! No matter what the climate’s like, it always hits the spot. And let me tell you, when it comes to soup, nothing beats chicken barley soup. It’s friggin’ amazing! So nutritious, hearty, and full of flavor that it’ll blow your socks off.
And the best part is that it’s easy-peasy to make and totally customizable to suit your taste buds. I’m gonna be your bro and share my secret recipe for chicken barley soup. So, let’s get cookin’!
Listen up, everybody! If you’re digging this article, then you gotta check out the bomb “Barley Soup With Ease“, and “The ultimate instant pot beef barley soup” posts for some scrumptious eats. And don’t even trip, ’cause I’m telling you straight up, these meals are fire. Give ’em a go and you won’t regret it.
Page Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Barley Soup
Yo, let’s chat about why this chicken and barley soup is so dang delicious. For starters, barley is a super nutritious grain that’s got tons of fiber, protein, and vitamins.
Plus, it’s got a gnarly chewy texture and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with savory stuff like chicken and veggies. Speaking of chicken, it’s a boss source of protein and pumps up the flavor of the soup big time.
I like to use chicken thighs with bones and skin still on since they add a ton of richness to the broth. The veggies in this soup are also hella important.
I go for onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to create a dope flavor foundation. Not only are these veggies loaded with vitamins and minerals, but they also bring sweet, earthy, and umami notes to the broth.
Step-by-Step Recipe for Chicken Barley Soup
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the recipe itself. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 chicken drumsticks with juicy goodness and crispy skins
- 1 cup of fancy barley
- 1 diced onion
- 2 peeled and diced carrots
- 2 sliced and diced celery sticks
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 8 cups of the elixir of life- chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf to add some love
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme for flavor
- Salt and pepper, in accordance with your palatable preferences
- Freshly diced parsley (if your taste buds desire it)
Step 1: Brown The Chicken for Barley Soup with Chicken
Slap a huge-ass pot or kettle on the stove on a medium-high flame. Shake some salt and pepper on both sides of the damn chicken thighs. Chuck them in the pot, skin-side down, and cook for 5-7 minutes, until they turn yummy-crispy and brown.
Turn over the chicken and brown it for another 5-7 minutes on the other side. Take the chicken out of the pot and leave it aside.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Throw in the onions, carrots, and celery in the pot and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the veggies are soft and slightly caramelized. Toss in the garlic and cook for an extra minute until the aroma fills the air.
Step 3: Chuck in the Barley and Broth
Chuck in the pearled barley, chook broth, bay leaf, and herbs to the pot. Give it a good stir. Let the soup come to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer and let it cook for 30-40 minutes.
The barley should be nice and soft and the chook cooked through.
Step 4: Rip Apart the Bird for Barley Soup with Chicken
Take out the chicken legs from the stew and give them a sec to cool down. Strip off the skin and bones and rip up the meat with a fork.
Step 5: Wrap up the Stew
Chuck, the ripped-up chicken back into the container and blend it. Take a sip of the soup and improve the taste with salt and pepper. If you want, toss some chopped parsley on top before handing it out.
How to Freeze Chicken Barley Soup
Freezing chicken barley soup is a great way to preserve it for later use. Here are the steps to follow:
- Allow the soup to cool completely. You can leave it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to make sure it’s fully chilled
- Choose the container you want to use for freezing. Make sure it’s freezer-safe and can hold the soup without leaking
- You can use airtight containers, freezer bags, or even ice cube trays depending on the quantity you want to freeze
- Ladle the soup into the container, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing
- Label the container with the date and contents so that you can easily identify it later
- Seal the container tightly, making sure there’s no air trapped inside
- Place the container in the freezer and store it for up to three months
Tips and Tricks For Chicken Barley Soup
This chicken barley soup is so tasty and filling – it’s great no matter the season! Whether you want a cozy meal on a freezing day or something to perk you up after a hard day at the office, this soup is sure to satisfy you.
Use these tips and tricks to whip up the ultimate chicken barley soup.
Use Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs
As I mentioned earlier, using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the best way to get the most flavor out of your soup. The bones and skin add richness to the broth, and the thighs themselves are more flavorful than other cuts of chicken.
Plus, the bones help to create a gelatinous texture in the broth that gives it a more satisfying mouthfeel.
Don’t be Stingy With the Veggies
They’re a crucial part of the soup’s taste and health benefits. Load up on onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to give the soup a flavorful foundation. Plus, these veggies pack in vitamins and minerals, so it’s a smarter soup choice than others.
Burn the Barley a Little Before You Start Cooking
Burning the barley in a hot pan, without any oil, for a short time before including it in the soup can make its nutty taste intensify and make it chewier.
It’s an additional effort you should make if you’re keen to make your soup much better than before.
Put Some Zing in it
Toss in a bit of vinegar or squeeze a lemon to liven up the flavors in the soup and balance the greasy richness of the chicken and barley. Take it slow though, and taste as you sprinkle, or you could end up with too much punch.
Throw in Some Fresh Herbs
Toss in some parsley, thyme, and rosemary for a pop of taste and freshness in your soup. Put them in towards the end or simply sprinkle them on as a finishing touch for the ultimate flavor boost.
FAQs – Barley Soup With Chicken
Chicken barley soup can be a pretty solid meal, bro. It’s low in fat and calories, but high in fiber, protein, and all the good vitamins and minerals. But, ya gotta keep in mind that the actual nutritional value might change depending on how it’s cooked and what’s in it.
To heat that bomb chicken barley soup, first, move it from the freezer to the fridge and give it a night to defrost. If you can’t wait that long, put it in a pot over low heat and keep stirring until it’s hot all the way through.
Conclusion – Barley Soup With Chicken
Barley soup with chicken is a delicious and hearty soup that is packed with nutrients. It can be made using a variety of ingredients and cooked in different ways, including on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or even in the Instant Pot.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy meal option or a comforting dish on a cold day, barley soup with chicken is a great choice. With its combination of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, this soup is not only tasty but also nutritious.
Here are a few more articles, that you might want to read it.