Crock Pot Chicken Barley Soup

This Crock Pot Chicken Barley Soup is a hearty and nourishing recipe, which uses bone-in chicken thighs and pearl barley. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Crock Pot Chicken Barley Soup Ingredients

• 2–3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt (less if broth is salty)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 cups vegetable or chicken broth

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Barley Soup

1. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sear the chicken thighs until browned on both sides.
2. Cook the vegetables: Remove chicken and add carrots, celery, and onions to the pan. Sauté for 4–5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and wine: Stir in garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. Deglaze with white wine and let cook for another 1–2 minutes.
4. Transfer to crockpot: Pour the cooked vegetables and wine mixture into the slow cooker. Add seared chicken, barley, thyme, salt, pepper, and broth.
5. Slow cook: Cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
6. Shred the chicken: Remove chicken thighs, shred the meat, discard bones, and return the meat to the soup. Stir and serve hot.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use boneless chicken?
  Yes, but bone-in chicken adds more flavor to the broth.
• What kind of barley should I use?
  Pearl barley works best—it softens well without turning mushy.
• Can I skip the wine?
  Yes, substitute with extra broth or a splash of lemon juice for acidity.
• How to thicken the soup:
  Let it simmer uncovered during the last 30 minutes, or mash some barley with a spoon.
• Can I make it ahead of time?
  Yes, it reheats beautifully and the flavors improve the next day.

What To Serve With Chicken Barley Soup

This soup pairs well with simple sides like:

• Crusty bread or dinner rolls
• Side salad with vinaigrette
• Roasted vegetables
• Crackers or cornbread
• Grilled cheese sandwich

How To Store Chicken Barley Soup

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze in sealed containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stove.

Chicken Barley Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: Approx. 250
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 10g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fiber: 3g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes, skip the searing step and add the cooked chicken during the last hour.

Why is my barley too soft?
Overcooking can break it down. Stick to 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

Can I add other vegetables?
Yes, potatoes, green beans, or spinach are great additions.

How to make it vegetarian?
Use vegetable broth and skip the chicken—add extra veggies and beans for protein.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Crock Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl
• Crock Pot Chicken Brown Sugar