This hearty and nourishing Hen Barley Soup is full of tender greens, savory hen, and nutritious barley, making a comforting meal good for any time of the yr. Infused with recent thyme, lemon zest, and child kale, this soup gives a recent, wholesome twist on a traditional. It’s good for a comfy household dinner or meal prepping for the week forward!

Substances
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons recent thyme leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ kilos skin-on, bone-in hen breasts or thighs
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 8 cups hen broth
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 (5-ounce) field child kale
Directions
- Sauté Greens:
Warmth olive oil in a big pot over medium warmth. As soon as shimmering, add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook dinner for 8 to 10 minutes till the greens have softened. - Add Garlic & Seasonings:
Stir within the minced garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook dinner for 1 minute, permitting the flavors to meld collectively. - Simmer the Soup:
Add the hen, pearled barley, and hen broth to the pot. Carry to a boil, then scale back the warmth to a simmer. Cowl and cook dinner for 25 minutes till the barley is tender and the hen is cooked via. - Shred the Hen:
Take away the hen from the pot and set it apart to chill for a couple of minutes. As soon as cooled, shred the hen, discarding the pores and skin and bones. - End the Soup:
Flip off the warmth and stir within the shredded hen, lemon zest, lemon juice, and child kale. Stir till the kale wilts and the soup is nicely mixed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nourishing & Filling: Full of greens, barley, and protein-rich hen, this soup is a balanced, comforting meal that’s good for any day.
- Simple to Make: With easy substances and simple steps, this soup comes collectively in beneath an hour.
- Wholesome & Flavorful: The addition of recent thyme, lemon, and kale provides brightness and depth to the soup, making it flavorful and nutritious.
- Meal Prep Pleasant: This soup shops nicely, so you can also make an enormous batch and luxuriate in it for a number of meals.


Ideas
- Use Bone-in Hen for Further Taste: The pores and skin and bones assist infuse the broth with a wealthy, savory style. If utilizing boneless, skinless hen, you might want to regulate the seasoning to make up for the lack of taste.
- Cook dinner Barley Individually (Non-obligatory): When you desire, you possibly can cook dinner the barley individually to keep away from it absorbing an excessive amount of broth. Simply add it to the soup on the finish to warmth via.
- Regulate Consistency: If the soup will get too thick, merely add somewhat additional hen broth or water to succeed in your required consistency.
- Add Extra Greens: When you like, you possibly can add extra greens like spinach or Swiss chard rather than the kale.
Variations and Substitutions
- Hen Substitute: You should use boneless hen breasts or thighs for a faster cooking time, or swap in turkey for a leaner protein.
- Vegetable Choices: Add different greens like zucchini, parsnips, or inexperienced beans for additional taste and vitamins.
- Broth Choices: Use vegetable broth for a lighter soup, or strive a low-sodium model of hen broth to regulate the salt degree.
- Herb Variations: When you don’t have thyme, strive rosemary or oregano for a unique natural taste.
FAQs
1. Can I make this soup forward of time?
- Sure! This soup really tastes higher the following day after the flavors have had time to meld collectively. Retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days, or freeze it for as much as 3 months.
2. Can I take advantage of quick-cooking barley?
- Fast-cooking barley can be utilized, however needless to say it could cook dinner quicker, so that you’ll want to regulate the cooking time. Examine it often to keep away from overcooking.
3. Can I add different greens apart from kale?
- Completely! Spinach, Swiss chard, and even arugula could be added to the soup rather than kale. Simply stir them in on the finish to wilt.
Serving
- Serve with Crusty Bread: Pair your soup with a slice of heat, crusty bread or a aspect of crackers for dipping.
- Prime with Contemporary Herbs: Garnish the soup with extra recent thyme or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for additional taste.
- Add a Aspect Salad: For a well-rounded meal, serve the soup with a aspect salad or roasted greens.
Ideas
- Make a Double Batch: This soup is ideal for leftovers, so contemplate making a double batch to get pleasure from later within the week or to freeze for future meals.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of purple pepper flakes or a touch of sizzling sauce for those who like somewhat warmth in your soup.
- Good for Meal Prep: Make an enormous batch firstly of the week for a wholesome and filling lunch or dinner choice all through the week.
Take pleasure in this healthful, scrumptious hen barley soup for a satisfying meal that’s good for the entire household!


Hen Barley Soup Recipe
Substances
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 onion, diced
-
3 celery stalks, diced
-
3 carrots, diced
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
2 teaspoons recent thyme leaves
-
1 ½ teaspoons salt
-
1 teaspoon black pepper
-
1 ½ kilos skin-on, bone-in hen breasts or thighs
-
1 cup pearled barley
-
8 cups hen broth
-
1 lemon, zest and juice
-
1 (5-ounce) field child kale
Instructions
- Sauté Greens:
- Warmth olive oil in a big pot over medium warmth. As soon as shimmering, add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook dinner for 8 to 10 minutes till the greens have softened.
- Add Garlic & Seasonings:
- Stir within the minced garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook dinner for 1 minute, permitting the flavors to meld collectively.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Add the hen, pearled barley, and hen broth to the pot. Carry to a boil, then scale back the warmth to a simmer. Cowl and cook dinner for 25 minutes till the barley is tender and the hen is cooked via.
- Shred the Hen:
- Take away the hen from the pot and set it apart to chill for a couple of minutes. As soon as cooled, shred the hen, discarding the pores and skin and bones.
- End the Soup:
- Flip off the warmth and stir within the shredded hen, lemon zest, lemon juice, and child kale. Stir till the kale wilts and the soup is nicely mixed.

