Hearty Grandma's Chicken & Barley Delight
Experience the warmth and comfort of a classic dish with Grandma's Chicken & Barley Delight. This soul-soothing soup features tender chicken thighs simmered to perfection with pearl barley and an abundance of colorful vegetables. Infused with flavorful herbs and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, it's a delightful treat for chilly days. Perfectly paired with crusty French bread, this recipe will evoke cherished memories and warm your heart with each hearty bowl.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Chicken thighs
4 large (bone-in and skin on)
Chicken broth
6 cups (divided)
Celery
2 stalks (chopped)
Carrots
4 medium (peeled and chopped)
Yellow onion
1 medium (peeled and diced)
Mushrooms
8 ounces (sliced)
Garlic cloves
2 (peeled and minced)
Pearl barley
3/4 cup (rinsed)
Diced tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can (do not drain)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon
Dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon
Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon
Salt and black pepper
to taste
Fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons (minced)
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs skin-side down and brown them for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
2
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, lower the heat to medium-low, and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the chicken to cook for approximately 40 minutes until fully cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the broth and place it in a bowl to cool slightly. Ensure to keep the flavorful broth in the pot and cover it.
3
In the same pot with the remaining broth, add the chopped celery, carrots, diced onion, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, rinsed pearl barley, diced tomatoes (with juices), Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, thyme, oregano, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
4
Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it back to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the barley and vegetables are tender.
5
While the soup is simmering, remove the meat and skin from the chicken bones, discarding the bones. Coarsely chop the chicken meat and skin. If you prefer, you can skip the browning step and discard the skin after removing the meat.
6
Add the chopped chicken back into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking to warm through. If the soup has thickened too much, feel free to stir in a bit of water until you reach the desired consistency.
7
Finally, taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving.
8
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with crusty French bread for a truly comforting meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Grandma's Chicken & Barley Delight?
It is a soul-soothing soup featuring tender chicken thighs, pearl barley, and a variety of vegetables in a flavorful broth.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What type of chicken is used in this soup?
The recipe calls for 4 large bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs.
How much chicken broth is needed?
A total of 6 cups of chicken broth is required, used in divided portions.
What kind of barley should I use?
The recipe specifies 3/4 cup of rinsed pearl barley.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should use one 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes and do not drain the juices.
How long should I brown the chicken thighs?
Brown the chicken thighs skin-side down for about 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy.
How long does the chicken cook initially in the broth?
The chicken should cook for approximately 40 minutes until fully cooked through.
How long does the soup need to simmer once the vegetables and barley are added?
The soup should simmer for about 1 1/2 hours until the barley and vegetables are tender.
When do I add the chicken back into the soup?
Add the chopped chicken back into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The vegetables include celery, carrots, yellow onion, mushrooms, garlic, and diced tomatoes.
What dried herbs are used for seasoning?
The soup is seasoned with dried basil, dried thyme, and dried oregano.
How much Worcestershire sauce is recommended?
The recipe suggests 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, or to taste.
What should I do if the soup becomes too thick?
If the soup thickens too much, you can stir in a bit of water until you reach your desired consistency.
What is the best way to serve this soup?
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve it with crusty French bread.
Can I skip browning the chicken skin?
Yes, you can skip the browning step and discard the skin after removing the meat if you prefer.
What fresh herb is added at the end?
Stir in 2 tablespoons of minced fresh Italian parsley just before serving.
How much olive oil is used?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for sautéing.
How many carrots are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped.
How many stalks of celery are required?
Two stalks of chopped celery are needed.
What type of onion is used?
One medium yellow onion, peeled and diced, is used.
How many mushrooms are in the recipe?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
How many garlic cloves are used?
Two garlic cloves, peeled and minced, are used.
Do I keep the chicken bones in the soup?
No, you should remove the meat and skin from the bones and discard the bones before adding the meat back to the pot.
Is this recipe considered a low-cost meal?
Yes, 'low-cost' is one of the tags associated with this recipe.
What kind of pot is best for this recipe?
A large, heavy stockpot is recommended.
Is this recipe suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a delightful treat for chilly days and tagged as a winter comfort food.
How should the chicken meat be prepared after cooking?
The chicken meat and skin should be coarsely chopped after being removed from the bones.
What flavor profile does the Worcestershire sauce provide?
It adds a splash of flavor that complements the herbs and chicken broth.
How much pearl barley is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of pearl barley.