Chicken Barley Soup

Name: Chicken Barley Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion (diced); 3 celery stalks (diced); 3 carrots (diced); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 ½ pounds skin on bone-in chicken breasts or thighs; 1 cup pearled barley; 8 cups chicken broth; 1 lemon (zest and juice); 1 (5-ounce) box baby kale

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Two bowls of homemade chicken soup with barley with pot of soup nearby.

My Chicken Barely Soup is So Good!

Whenever I make chicken barley soup, it feels like hitting the reset button. It’s one of those meals that’s cozy but not heavy, and I love how it’s simple without being boring.

The chicken, the barley, the fresh lemon—it all comes together in this way that’s just really satisfying.

For me, it’s a go-to when I want something easy but hearty enough to count as dinner. Everything happens in one pot, so there’s not a ton of cleanup, and the leftovers are even better the next day (which is a big deal in my house). This is the kind of soup that just feels good to eat, no matter the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients for recipe before prepping: onion, thyme, chicken, kale, stock, celery, carrots, lemon, barley, oil, and seasonings.

Olive oil: If you don’t have olive oil, any healthy fat or oil can work, like avocado oil.
Onion, garlic: This recipe calls for fresh onion and garlic but substituting powdered would also work.
Carrots, celery: You can use any vegetable combinations you prefer, radish, turnips, and zucchini could also be added.
Thyme: I use fresh thyme, but dried or prechopped works just as well.
Salt and pepper: You can substitute any type of salt or pepper, or add even more spices like paprika.
Bone-in chicken breast or thighs and chicken broth: the combination of bone-in chicken and chicken broth gives more flavor but you can use any combination of protein, protein substitute, or boneless chicken.
Barley: A grain that is similar to rice and orzo pasta, you can substitute these and still get the same effect.
Lemon: using a fresh lemon and the peel can offer more flavor, but bottled lemon juice or any other citrus substitute works as well.
Kale: Kale is my preference but you can use any leafy vegetable.

Popular Additions

Broccoli, Spinach, etc.: if you want to add more greens, broccoli or spinach are classic additions and can add even more color and nutrients.
Cream: If you’re looking for a more sweet and thickened soup, adding cream can add a layer of sweetness and thicken your broth for a slightly different flavor and texture profile.
Chili Flakes or Hot Sauce: If you like a bit of heat, adding red chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce can give the soup a spicy kick.
Cheese: another way to add a bright and creamy flavor, add it on top or mix it into the soup itself, you can use cheddar, pepper jack, etc. for different flavor additions.

How to Make Chicken Barley Soup

Chopped veggies in pot before cooking. — **Step 1:** Add onion, celery and carrots, and cook until softened.

After cooking mirepoix with seasoning and aromatics added. — **Step 2:** Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper, and cook until fragrant.

Chicken, barley, and stock added to pot. — **Step 3:** Add the chicken, barley and chicken broth, and bring to a boil.

After chicken is cooked in broth. — **Step 4:** Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook.

Chicken shredded and added back to pot with lemon zest, juice, and kale. — **Step 5:** Turn off the heat, stir in the shredded chicken, lemon zest and juice, and baby kale.

After stirring soup and kale is wilted. — **Step 6:** Stir until the kale is wilted.

My Best Chicken Barley Soup Tips

Use bone-in, skin on chicken breast or thighs. It will give the soup a ton of flavor, like it simmered all day! It’s also much more economical compared to boneless skinless chicken breast. If you wish to use boneless skinless chicken, you can follow the same method, but it will probably be cooked in closer to 20 minutes.
Use fresh herbs. Using fresh thyme, freshly ground pepper, and freshly grated garlic adds the best and strongest flavors to your soup because they are still in their most potent forms.
Make your own broth. If you want to add maximum flavor without added sodium or other ingredients, you can use your chicken, herbs and vegetables and make your own chicken broth to be frozen and used in future recipes.

Chicken Barley Soup in pot with ladle dipped inside.

What to Serve

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store and reheat chicken barely soup?

The soup can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, just let the soup cool down first to room temperature and place the soup covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also add the soup, once cooled, to a large freezer bag and store in the freezer up to 3 months.

The vegetables aren’t softening after cooking. What could be the problem?

Make sure that the olive oil is shimmering (indicating it’s hot enough) before adding the vegetables. If your pot is large, the heat may be uneven, so try stirring the vegetables occasionally to ensure even cooking. You can also increase the heat slightly, but be careful not to burn them.

The barley is still hard after cooking. What went wrong?

If the barley is still tough after cooking, simply cover and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, checking occasionally for doneness. Make sure there’s enough liquid in the pot so the barley can absorb it and cook properly.

Bowl of hearty chicken barley soup with spoon dipped in.

More Hearty Chicken Soup Recipes:

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