Spring Chicken & Barley Soup Recipe #363001
A light, barley soup. . .perfect for Spring and Summer. This is a high fiber, low fat and heart healthy soup. Recipe originally from Eating Well Magazine, but switched up a bit after making! Feel free to add some salt free all purpose seasoning or Italian Seasoning in the last 5 minutes of cooking; I used Recipe #334780 with great results. The orange peel is the secret ingredient in this recipe. . .brightens it right up!
by JanuaryBride
1¼ hours | 15 min prep
SERVES 4 -6 , 8 cups
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large chicken breast, skin removed, trimmed (8-10 ounces)
- 1/3 cup pearl barley
- 1/3 cup shredded fresh spinach
- 1/3 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup trimmed and diagonally sliced asparagus (1/4 inch thick)
- 1/2 cup thawed frozen peas
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 cup lightly packed torn fresh basil leaf
- 1 strip orange zest (1/2 by 2 inches)
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add broth, chicken and barley. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon.
- Return the broth to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, shred the chicken or cut into bite-size pieces; discard the bone.
- When the barley is done, add the chicken, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes with juice, asparagus, peas, salt and a grinding of pepper; return to a simmer.
- Cover and cook over low heat until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes more.
- Gather basil and orange zest and finely chop together.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with a generous pinch of the basil mixture.
|
© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com |
|
Share your experience with others, and post your comments on the recipe. Type 363001 in the Search box at the top of Recipezaar, to get back to this recipe easily. Recipe Notes & Rating:
|
5 stars