Hearty Chicken and Barley Vegetable Medley
Warm and comforting, this Hearty Chicken and Barley Vegetable Medley is a delightful blend of tender chicken or turkey, nutty pearl barley, and a colorful array of vegetables simmered to perfection in a clear broth. Each bowlful is a nutritious powerhouse packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making it a wonderfully satisfying dish for any meal of the day. Enjoy it for breakfast to kickstart your morning with wholesome ingredients or as a nourishing dinner that the whole family will love. This versatile soup also allows you to unleash your creativity by incorporating different vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken or turkey broth
2-3 quarts (homemade or canned)
Diced meat
2 cups (leftover chicken or turkey)
Baby carrots
1 cup (halved crosswise)
Celery
2 cups (diced)
Onions
2 cups (diced)
Pearl barley
1 cup (regular, not quick cooking)
Parsley flakes
2 tablespoons
Soy sauce
1 tablespoon
Crushed garlic
1 teaspoon
Chicken bouillon cubes
4-6 (to taste for flavor and saltiness)
Chopped cabbage or sliced leeks
1 cup (whites)
Instructions
1
In a large crockpot, add the chicken or turkey broth as the base of the soup.
2
Stir in the diced meat, ensuring even distribution throughout the broth.
3
Add the halved baby carrots, diced celery, diced onions, and the optional chopped cabbage or sliced leeks to the pot.
4
Incorporate the pearl barley, parsley flakes, soy sauce, crushed garlic, and bouillon cubes for enhanced flavor.
5
Set the crockpot dial to High and cook for 1-2 hours until everything starts to heat through.
6
After the initial cooking, reduce the setting to Low and let it simmer for an additional 6-8 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
7
Alternatively, if you prefer a longer cooking time, you can set the crockpot on Low for 10 hours.
8
If the soup becomes too thick while cooking, feel free to add additional water or canned broth to reach your desired consistency.
9
Allow the soup to cool before portioning it into individual containers for freezing. Reheat as needed, and enjoy the warm, hearty goodness!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Chicken and Barley Vegetable Medley?
It is a warm and comforting soup featuring a blend of tender chicken or turkey, nutty pearl barley, and colorful vegetables simmered in a clear broth.
What kind of meat can I use in this recipe?
You can use approximately 2 cups of diced meat, such as leftover chicken or turkey.
What type of barley is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of regular pearl barley, not the quick-cooking variety.
How much broth is needed for the base?
You should use 2 to 3 quarts of chicken or turkey broth, which can be either homemade or canned.
What vegetables are included in the medley?
The medley includes baby carrots, diced celery, diced onions, and optional chopped cabbage or sliced leeks.
Can I add cabbage to this soup?
Yes, you can add 1 cup of optional chopped cabbage or sliced leeks to the pot for extra texture and flavor.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The baby carrots should be halved crosswise before being added to the crockpot.
What seasonings provide the flavor base?
The flavor is enhanced with parsley flakes, soy sauce, crushed garlic, and chicken bouillon cubes.
How many bouillon cubes should I use?
The recipe suggests using 4 to 6 chicken bouillon cubes, adjusted to your preference for flavor and saltiness.
What is the first step in cooking this soup?
Begin by adding the chicken or turkey broth into a large crockpot as the base of the soup.
How should I combine the ingredients in the crockpot?
Stir in the diced meat first, then add the vegetables, barley, and seasonings to ensure even distribution.
What is the initial cooking setting?
Set the crockpot to High for the first 1-2 hours until the ingredients start to heat through.
How long should the soup simmer on Low?
After the initial heating, reduce the setting to Low and let it simmer for an additional 6 to 8 hours.
Is there a longer cooking option available?
Yes, if you prefer a longer cooking time, you can set the crockpot on Low for a total of 10 hours.
What should I do if the soup becomes too thick?
If the soup thickens too much during cooking, you can add more water or canned broth to reach your desired consistency.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep as it can be portioned into individual containers and frozen for later use.
How do I prepare the soup for freezing?
Allow the soup to cool completely before portioning it into containers to be placed in the freezer.
Can I eat this soup for breakfast?
Absolutely, the recipe is described as a nutritious powerhouse that can be enjoyed for breakfast to kickstart your morning.
Is this a healthy meal option?
Yes, it is packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making it a nutritious and satisfying dish.
Can I customize the vegetables in this medley?
Yes, the recipe allows for creativity by incorporating different vegetables based on your personal preferences or what you have on hand.
What is the role of soy sauce in this recipe?
One tablespoon of soy sauce is used to help enhance the overall savory flavor of the soup.
How much celery and onion are required?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of diced celery and 2 cups of diced onions.
Do I need to use fresh garlic?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of crushed garlic to provide an aromatic flavor profile.
Can I use turkey broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, either chicken or turkey broth works perfectly as the base for this soup.
How many servings does this recipe make?
While the exact serving count isn't specified, the large volume of ingredients suggests it makes a substantial amount for a family or meal prep.
Does the barley need to be cooked before adding it to the crockpot?
No, the pearl barley is added dry to the crockpot and cooks along with the other ingredients in the broth.
What is the texture of the soup?
The soup features tender meat and vegetables with the nutty, chewy texture of pearl barley in a clear broth.
Can I use leek whites?
Yes, the recipe notes using the whites of sliced leeks as an optional ingredient.
Is this soup considered comfort food?
Yes, its warm and hearty nature makes it a classic comfort food dish for any meal.
How should I reheat the soup?
You can reheat the soup as needed once it has been portioned and stored, either on the stovetop or in a microwave.