Chicken and barley soup is a nourishing, comforting dish that’s perfect for cooler weather or whenever you need a hearty meal that warms you from the inside out. It’s a wholesome combination of tender chicken, fiber-rich barley, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered together in a flavorful broth. Whether you’re looking for a comforting lunch or a make-ahead dinner, this soup is a satisfying choice that’s both delicious and good for you.
This soup begins with cooking diced onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot until they’re soft and aromatic. These classic soup vegetables build a flavorful base. Chunks of chicken, either breast or thigh, are added next and cooked until lightly browned. For added depth, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and a touch of black pepper are stirred in, giving the broth a savory aroma.
Pearl barley is the heart of this soup. Its nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture make it more substantial than many other grains, turning the soup into a complete and filling meal. As the barley cooks in the broth, it soaks up all the delicious flavors while releasing some starch to thicken the soup naturally.
Low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock keeps the base light but full of flavor. As everything simmers, the barley becomes tender and the chicken stays juicy and soft. You can also shred the chicken after simmering for an even more rustic texture. A handful of chopped parsley or a splash of lemon juice added at the end brightens up the entire dish.
Chicken and barley soup is an excellent choice for meal prep as it stores and reheats well. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it as nourishing as it is tasty. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or enjoy it on its own, either way, this soup is comfort in a bowl, perfect for any time of the year.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1 cup barley
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken breasts, barley, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the barley is tender.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve the soup hot and enjoy!
Not gonna lie, 6 cups broth sounds like a lot for 1 cup barley. It came out more like stew-soup than soup-soup, but I guess that’s my fault for expecting it to be thicker right away.
Yeah, 6 cups broth + 1 cup barley can definitely turn into more of a thinner stew. Next time you can simmer a bit longer (or take the lid off toward the end) to reduce it, or use a little less broth if you want it thicker right away.
Delicious! I substituted chicken with turkey and it was still amazing!
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Thanks for sharing!
This looks super easy! Can’t wait to try it out myself!
Not bad! The chicken shred step is kinda satisfying. I did 1/2 tsp more salt though, because the broth I used wasn’t very flavorful.
Tasted good but my husband said it was missing somtin. I don’t think it needed anything tho.
I don’t know, my chicken came out kinda dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Idk what I did wrong.
Dry chicken happens sometimes, just make sure to check the doneness with a thermometer! 165°F is your friend.
Mmm.. chicken soup is the best! Would love to see more recipes like this.
5 stars for the vibe, 2 stars for the measurements 😂 Like… “salt and pepper to taste” is fine but I went heavy and regretted it a bit. Flavor is good overall!
Haha totally get that—“to taste” is lethal when you’re feeling confident 😂 I’m glad the vibe + flavor still worked out!
Chicken breasts in soup always come out dry for me, but this time it worked. I kept it at a gentle simmer and shredding helped. Will make again.
I didn’t have barley, so I used rice instead. It turned out okay, but not the same I guess.
I did not like how it turned out. The barley was mushy and chicken was dry.
Yum! I added some spices and it turned out great. Thanks for sharing!
That sounds awesome! I wanna try adding some chili powder next time. 😋
I dunno, I followed the recipe exactly and mine didn’t taste that good. Maybe different broth?
Made this last night—so cozy! The barley texture is perfect, and shredding the chicken at the end keeps it juicy. I added a pinch of extra pepper and it tasted amazing.
Awful. This tasted like water! Way too bland; I won’t be making it again.
This soup is fantastic! So hearty and delicious. I added a pinch of cumin and it took it to the next level. Will make again!
This soup was okay, but a little too bland for my taste. Maybe a pinch of cayenne next time?
I totally agree! Cumin adds such a nice flavor. I used it too and it was amazing!
Not a fan of barley. Can I use rice instead?
I forgot to put garlic in but still came out yummy. Barley was a bit chewy, but I like that. Will make again!
Yum! I’m not a cook but this was simple enough. Will make it again!
Could be my pot, but it reduced too much and got thick. I’ll add extra broth next time so it stays more soup-y.
This soup is so good! I added some spinach for extra greens. Will definitely make again!
I can’t believe how delicious this soup turned out! Spinach is a great idea!
Was this a soup or porridge? I might’ve added too much barley, lol.
Five stars. My picky eaters went back for seconds—said it tasted “restaurant-y.” I used chicken thighs instead of breasts and it was even better.
Simple and tasty! Perfect for a cold evening. My whole family loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Pretty solid recipe, but I think 5 minutes for cooking the veggies is a little short. I simmered mine longer so the onion got sweeter. Otherwise tasty.
Barley always freaks me out, lol. But this recipe was straightforward and the timing worked out for me. Family said it tasted “like restaurant soup.”
Way too salty for my taste. I think I added too much broth. Next time I’ll try it without.
I’m skeptical about throwing in chicken breasts whole like that. Mine turned out a little dry even after shredding—next time I’ll simmer more gently.
Good flavor but I needed more salt. Also, my chicken got kinda dry—maybe because I let it simmer too long after shredding? Next time I’ll be more careful.
Glad it still tasted good! I agree—salt can be tricky with soups. I usually season in layers (a pinch after the veggies, then adjust after simmer).
Great flavor! I didn’t have thyme so used oregano, still turned out good! Thanks!
This soup was fantastic! The barley gave it such a nice texture. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Barley really does add a unique touch. Happy cooking! 🙂
Good flavor, but my barley took longer than 50 minutes to get tender. I had to keep it simmering and add a splash more broth. Still worth it.
The chicken turned out really dry. I think 50 minutes is too long. Maybe try for less time next time.
Pretty solid basic soup. I simmered a bit longer (closer to 60 min) because my barley was chewy at 45. Also, next time I’ll dice the carrots smaller so they melt into the broth.
I followed it exactly and the barley NEVER got tender 😩 Had to throw in more broth and keep simmering forever. Flavor was good though, just timing was off for my stove.
Why does it take so long to simmer? Can I cook it faster? 🤔
You can speed up the cooking by using a pressure cooker. But the simmering process helps develop the flavors! Patience is key! 😊
This recipe is a lifesaver! Perfect for cold winter days. My kids loved it.
Chicken and barley soup sounds fancy but I’m skeptical—barley can be kinda chewy. Also 6 cups broth feels like a lot? Mine was more like a stew.
Too salty for my taste. I used low-sodium broth, still too much. Be careful with salt, folks.
Very easy to make, but took forever to cook! Is that normal?
I followed it exactly and it was… okay. Kinda bland until I added extra pepper and salt. Might be my broth though.
I found it too bland. Maybe more spices next time?
Made this tonight—so cozy. I used leftover roast chicken once and it still tasted great. The barley texture is perfect after a good simmer.
Chicken soup is chicken soup, nothing fancy here. I’m not convinced this is worth the hype.
I disagree! This soup has such a hearty flavor and the barley adds a nice touch. Totally worth it in my opinion!
Yum! So hearty and warming! Perfect for a chilly day. I added some herbs de Provence too.
The chicken got too dry for me 😔 Maybe I overcooked it? I dunno.
Overcooking can definitely do that! Next time, try cooking it a bit less or check the internal temp. Hope it turns out better! 🍲
Made this last night and it turned out so comforting. The barley texture is perfect, and the thyme really makes it taste “real.” I used a little extra pepper and it was excellent. 👍
This was super easy, but I’m confused why it says “heat some oil” with no amount. I used like 2 tbsp and it was fine, just feel like that detail matters.
Yeah I agree—“heat some oil” is super vague. I usually do ~1–2 tbsp too and it works, but I wish they’d just put a number.
Soup is good but chicken should be cooked before adding! Just saying.
I think it’s fine the way it is! Cooking the chicken in the soup makes it more tasty! Just add more spices.
I love this recipe! Super easy and tasty. Perfect for winter nights. Thanks for sharing!
Barley?? Thought that was just for horses. Tasted fine though!
I followed it exactly, but it came out kind of bland for me. Next time I’ll add more thyme and maybe a little lemon at the end. Not bad though.
Totally get that—barley soups can taste a bit flat if the seasoning isn’t dialed in. Your plan (extra thyme + a squeeze of lemon) sounds spot on. Next time maybe also bump the salt early and add a bit more black pepper at the end.
Yummy!! 10/10 would recommend to friends!
Not sure about this one. The chicken took too long to cook for my taste.
I forgot the thyme. Didn’t taste right. Remember, spices matter!
Totally agree! Spices can make or break a dish. Next time, don’t forget the thyme! It’s so important!
Great recipe! This is just like my grandma used to make. Brings back memories. Such a comforting dish.
Really comforting—made this on a cold night and it tasted like it simmered for hours. The barley was perfect after the 50 minutes.
Sooo easy to make! I added some spices for extra flavor, and it was amazing! Thanks!
Too celery for my liking. I think I’ll just try with only 1 stalk next time.
ABSOULTY DELICIOUS! My fam loved it! Gonna make it again for sure!
So happy to hear you loved it! It’s a real family winner! 😋
Sounds great, but is barley good for you? I heard it has gluten or something.
This is all wrong. You need to use beef broth, not chicken!