Chicken Barley Soup

By tschnet1

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 carrots, diced small
• 4 celery stalks, diced small
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced small
• 2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, 1/2" pieces
• coarse salt
• ground pepper
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 5 sprigs thyme
• 1 cup quick cooking barley
• 5 cups baby spinach

Preparation

Step 1

In large pot, heat over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery and onion. Cook until just tender, about 8 minutes. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until chicken is opaque at edges, about 2 minutes.

Add broth and thyme. Bring to a boiled. Stir in barley. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until barley is tender and chicken is cooked through, 10 - 12 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.