Chicken Barley Soup Recipe

Crockpot chicken barley soup in a white slow cooker, with bread and herbs nearby.

Author Mandy

Crockpot chicken barley soup combines tender shredded chicken, pearl barley, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in a thyme-seasoned broth. Everything cooks together in the slow cooker, with fresh parsley stirred in at the end.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Serving Size Servings

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 large carrots sliced into rounds
2 stalks celery chopped
1 medium yellow onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
6-8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup pearl barley not the quick-cook kind
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons fresh parsley minced

Instructions

Add the chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, pearl barley, salt, thyme, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the soup.
Stir in the minced fresh parsley, then serve.

Notes

Slow cookers can vary in how quickly they cook, so use the listed time as a guide and check the chicken for doneness. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken barley soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the soup in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that the barley may soften further after freezing and thawing.
Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Add a little extra broth or water as needed to loosen the soup and bring it back to your preferred consistency.

Nutriton

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.