Slow Cooker Chicken & Barley Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken & Barley Soup is a heartwarming dish that combines tender chicken, nutty barley, and vibrant vegetables in a rich broth. Perfect for chilly nights, this easy-to-make soup is both nourishing and satisfying, making it an ideal family meal. Let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the comforting aromas wafting through your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop all vegetables and set aside.
- Place chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Layer onions, carrots, celery, barley, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper on top of the chicken.
- Pour in chicken broth to cover all ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Shred cooked chicken with two forks and stir back into the soup. Adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added depth of flavor, brown the chicken thighs before adding them to the slow cooker. Substitute barley with quinoa or rice for a different texture. Enhance flavor with red pepper flakes for heat or fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.