Savory Chicken and Mushroom Barley Delight
Indulge in a hearty and comforting bowl of Savory Chicken and Mushroom Barley Delight, a unique twist on classic chicken soup and mushroom barley soup. This delicious recipe was born from a creative clean-out of the refrigerator and features tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich broth, complemented by earthy mushrooms, fresh carrots, and pearl barley for a delightful texture. With aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme enhancing the flavor profile, every spoonful promises to awaken your taste buds and fill your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas. Perfect for family dinners, this substantial soup serves a crowd and is ideal for meal prep!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic Cloves
4 (minced)
Leek
1 (sliced lengthwise and chopped)
Onion
1 (quartered)
Fresh Rosemary
1/2 cup (chopped or 1/4 cup dried)
Olive Oil
to taste (for sautéing)
White Wine
1/2 cup (for deglazing)
Chicken Broth
3 quarts (for base liquid)
White Button Mushrooms
1 1/2 lbs (sliced)
Pearl Barley
1/2 cup (for texture)
Chicken Breasts
1 1/2 lbs (cut into strips)
Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Thyme
1 sprig (for flavoring)
Bay Leaf
1 (for flavoring)
Carrots
2 cups (chopped)
Celery
1 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Start by mincing the garlic. Slice the leek lengthwise, then chop it into small pieces for even cooking.
2
In a large Dutch oven or a sturdy soup pot, heat a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped leek, quartered onion, and fresh rosemary to the pot; sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened and released their enchanting aroma.
3
Pour in the white wine, allowing it to simmer and reduce for 1 minute, stirring gently to blend the flavors.
4
Next, add 3 quarts of chicken broth, followed by the sliced mushrooms, bay leaf, chopped carrots, chopped celery, and pearl barley. Increase the heat slightly, stirring occasionally until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
5
While the soup is simmering, prepare the chicken by cutting it into strips. In a separate frying pan, heat another splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken strips and brown them for 4-5 minutes on each side, seasoning with pepper and fresh thyme during cooking.
6
Once the chicken is browned and cooked through, transfer it to the simmering soup pot. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer again and partially cover the pot.
7
Allow the soup to cook for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure an even infusion of flavors and proper cooking of the barley and chicken.
8
Once done, taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chicken and Mushroom Barley Delight?
It is a hearty and comforting soup that combines elements of classic chicken soup and mushroom barley soup, featuring tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and pearl barley.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of chicken breasts, which should be cut into strips.
What kind of mushrooms should I use?
You should use 1.5 lbs of sliced white button mushrooms.
Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute the 1/2 cup of fresh rosemary with 1/4 cup of dried rosemary.
How do I prepare the leeks for the soup?
Slice the leek lengthwise first, then chop it into small pieces for even cooking.
What is the base liquid used in this recipe?
The base consists of 3 quarts of chicken broth and 1/2 cup of white wine for deglazing.
How long should I simmer the soup after adding the chicken?
Once the browned chicken is added, allow the soup to cook for approximately 30 minutes while partially covered.
Do I cook the chicken in the same pot as the vegetables?
No, the chicken strips should be browned in a separate frying pan for 4 to 5 minutes on each side before being added to the soup.
What kind of barley is used in this soup?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of pearl barley to provide a delightful texture.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this substantial soup serves a crowd and is ideal for meal prep.
Which herbs are used to flavor the chicken and broth?
The recipe uses fresh rosemary, thyme (one sprig), and one bay leaf for flavoring.
What type of pot is recommended for cooking?
A large Dutch oven or a sturdy soup pot is recommended.
How do I prepare the onion?
The onion should be quartered before being added to the pot.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 4 minced garlic cloves.
What is the purpose of the white wine?
The white wine is used to deglaze the pot, simmering and reducing for one minute to blend the flavors.
How many carrots are included?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chopped carrots.
How much celery is required?
You will need 1 cup of chopped celery.
What heat setting should I use for sautéing the aromatics?
You should sauté the garlic, leeks, onion, and rosemary over medium-high heat.
How long do I sauté the initial vegetables?
Sauté the garlic, leek, onion, and rosemary for about 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
When should I add the pearl barley?
Add the pearl barley to the pot along with the chicken broth, mushrooms, bay leaf, carrots, and celery.
What should I season the chicken with while browning it?
Season the chicken strips with pepper and fresh thyme while they cook in the frying pan.
Should the soup reach a boil before simmering?
Yes, increase the heat until the mixture reaches a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
How often should I stir the soup while it simmers?
Stir occasionally to ensure an even infusion of flavors and to make sure the barley and chicken cook properly.
What is the final step before serving?
Once done, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed before serving it warm.
Is this soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe and a savory, hearty option.
Does this recipe contain any fats?
The recipe uses olive oil for sautéing the vegetables and browning the chicken.
What categories does this recipe fall into?
It is categorized under chicken soup, mushroom soup, barley soup, and comfort food.
Can I make this soup in a large batch?
Yes, it is specifically described as a recipe that serves a crowd.
What is the texture of the chicken in this soup?
The chicken is tender since it is browned first and then simmered in the rich broth.
How much olive oil is needed?
The recipe suggests using a splash of olive oil to taste for both sautéing and frying.