Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Barley Soup
This Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Barley Soup is a delightful blend of tender chicken, nutritious barley, and an array of vibrant vegetables, simmered to perfection in your slow cooker. Utilizing the microwave for quick vegetable preparation, this dish comes together in just three hours. The combination of savory chicken broth and a medley of fresh ingredients results in a wholesome and filling soup that’s perfect for chilly days or when you need a comforting meal. Feel free to customize this recipe by incorporating any seasonal vegetables you have on hand. With no added oils or butter, this recipe is not only delicious but also healthy!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 medium (chopped)
celery ribs
4 (chopped)
carrots
3 (peeled and chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
mushrooms
2 cups (chopped)
cooked chicken breast
1 cup (chopped)
pearl barley
1/2 cup (picked over and rinsed)
chicken broth
8 cups
Instructions
1
In a large pot or microwave-safe container, heat the chicken broth until hot and pour it into your slow cooker.
2
In another microwave-safe container, combine the chopped onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. Microwave on high for 5 minutes or until softened.
3
Carefully spoon the microwaved vegetable mixture into the slow cooker with the broth.
4
Microwave the chopped mushrooms for about 2 minutes to soften, then add them to the slow cooker as well.
5
Stir in the rinsed pearl barley, chopped chicken, salt, and black pepper.
6
Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 2 hours.
7
After 2 hours, stir the soup and continue cooking on high for an additional hour to ensure all flavors meld together.
8
Serve the warm soup with crackers on the side for a comforting and hearty meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in this chicken and mushroom barley soup?
The main ingredients include cooked chicken breast, pearl barley, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and chicken broth.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What is the total cooking time in the slow cooker?
The total slow cooker time is 3 hours on the high setting.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is a healthy option with no added oils or butter and includes nutritious vegetables and barley.
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked chicken?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of chopped cooked chicken breast, which helps ensure the 3-hour cooking time is sufficient.
What kind of barley should I use?
You should use 1/2 cup of pearl barley that has been picked over and rinsed.
Why does the recipe suggest using a microwave?
The microwave is used to quickly soften the vegetables and heat the broth, speeding up the overall preparation process.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe calls for 8 cups of chicken broth.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and mushrooms.
How many mushrooms do I need?
You will need 2 cups of chopped mushrooms.
Can I customize the vegetables?
Yes, you can customize the soup by incorporating any seasonal vegetables you have on hand.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
What setting should the slow cooker be on?
The slow cooker should be set to high.
Do I need to stir the soup during cooking?
Yes, you should stir the soup after the first 2 hours of cooking.
What seasoning is used?
The soup is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
How do I prepare the carrots?
The 3 carrots should be peeled and chopped.
How many celery ribs are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 chopped celery ribs.
How long should the vegetable mixture be microwaved?
Microwave the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots for 5 minutes until softened.
How long should the mushrooms be microwaved?
The chopped mushrooms should be microwaved for about 2 minutes.
What should I serve with the soup?
It is recommended to serve the soup warm with crackers on the side.
Is there any butter in this recipe?
No, this recipe contains no added butter or oils.
What size onion is required?
You should use 1 medium onion, chopped.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How much black pepper is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is the barley pre-cooked?
No, the pearl barley is rinsed and added dry to cook in the slow cooker broth.
Is this soup good for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a comforting meal that is perfect for chilly days.
Do I need to heat the broth before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes, the instructions suggest heating the chicken broth until hot before pouring it into the slow cooker.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to heat the chicken broth and pour it into your slow cooker.
What is the last step of the instructions?
The final step is to serve the warm soup with crackers.
How many total ingredients are listed?
There are 10 ingredients listed in the recipe.