6 INGREDIENT Chicken Barley Soup {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

Which barley is better for soup? ›

Pearl barley – Tasty whole grains have a nutty flavour and chewy texture that heightens the eating experience of this otherwise simple soup. Find it in the soup or grain aisle at the grocery store, alongside dried beans usually. Not to be confused with HULLED barley which is tougher and takes longer to cook.

But the solution when simmering a whole chicken for soup is to carve up the chicken before it's completely cooked through. In Molly Baz's Classic Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, she grabs the whole chicken out of the pot once the breasts register 155° F on an instant-read thermometer.

This is one of my family's favorite soups!!! The barley adds an amazing amount of fiber and the squash, carrots, celery, and onions are loaded with vitamins. You can replace the chicken with turkey if desired. One cup has just 142 calories, 1 gram of fat and 5 grams of fiber.

Research shows that barley helps to regulate blood pressure, boost immunity and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

Pearl barley does not need to be soaked prior to cooking because it cooks quickly. Hulled barley benefits from soaking in water for a few hours before cooking. However, you should still budget more time for the hulled grain to cook (about 35 to 40 minutes).

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

Add Umami: Add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, mushroom powder, or a few dashes of fish sauce for an ultra-satisfying, umami-packed soup. Add More Veggies: Swirl in fresh spinach or kale at the end of cooking for more of a vegetable-heavy soup.

You can cook the chicken at a high-enough temperature to kill bacteria by turning up the heat on the broth, but for a much safer and tastier method, brown your chicken first. Browning or searing the chicken in a separate pan is not only far more foolproof, but adds richness and extra umami to your soup.

Barley is high in fiber, especially beta-glucan, which may reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It may also aid weight loss and improve digestion. Whole-grain, hulled barley is more nutritious than refined, pearled barley. It can be substituted for any whole grain and easily added to your diet.

Barley Soup (1 cup) contains 17.9g total carbs, 14.2g net carbs, 0.8g fat, 4.8g protein, and 95 calories.

How many carbs in a cup of chicken barley soup? ›

Progresso Chicken Barley Soup (1 cup) contains 11g total carbs, 9g net carbs, 1g fat, 7g protein, and 80 calories.

Quinoa. Pronounced “KEEN-wah,” this versatile, gluten-free grain is actually an edible seed. It is a healthier substitute for white rice, and can be eaten as a hot breakfast dish, a base for salad, an addition to soup and much more.

While barley, bulgur, and rice are more traditional additions to soup recipes, there is no reason to stop there! Small grains like amaranth and quinoa add light texture to soups, while larger grains like freekeh, wild rice, and farro contribute a chewy bite that's perfect for thicker soups and stews.

Barley is high in fiber, especially beta-glucan, which may reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It may also aid weight loss and improve digestion. Whole-grain, hulled barley is more nutritious than refined, pearled barley. It can be substituted for any whole grain and easily added to your diet.

Nutritional value

If you have a choice, pick hulled barley over pearl. Hulled barley is a whole grain and contains more fiber and nutrients. Pearl barely is considered refined, but it is probably one of the most nutritious refined grains available. It contains a lot of fiber and is quite healthy to consume.