Description
Healthy Healing Chicken Soup is a cozy, easy recipe filled with tender chicken, vegetables, and a soothing golden broth. Perfect for a quick lunch, easy dinner, healthy snack-style meal prep, or comforting food ideas for busy days, this wholesome soup is one of the best easy recipe options when you need simple dinner ideas and nourishing homemade comfort.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
3/4 cup pearl barley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and add the thyme, oregano, turmeric, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
4. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then stir in the pearl barley.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the barley is tender.
6. Add the shredded chicken and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until heated through.
7. Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve warm with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
Rotisserie chicken works great here and makes this soup even quicker to prepare.
If the soup thickens after chilling, add a splash of broth when reheating.
For a brighter flavor, add an extra squeeze of lemon just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 38mg