Can this soup be made ahead of time?

It absolutely can! I actually think soup tastes better the next day because the flavors have even more of a chance to deepen. It may thicken up a little in the fridge as the barley absorbs more of the broth, but you can thin it down as needed with more chicken broth or water.

What is poultry seasoning?

Poultry seasoning is a mix of spices, usually including sage, thyme, celery seed, marjoram, black pepper and nutmeg. You can find it in the spice aisle of your supermarket.

Can I add or substitute the vegetables in this soup?

100% yes! Sometimes I add baby spinach or peas, or corn...it's a great way to use up any leftover veggies. Simply stir them in with the shredded chicken and you are good to go.

Can I cook this soup on the slow cooker high setting?

You can! The cooking time will be about three and a half hours, and you can check your chicken for doneness with a food thermometer - it should read 165 degrees.

Have a question that I didn't cover?

Pop your question in the comments and I will answer pronto!

Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup

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4.3 from 3 reviews

Fill up your slow cooker with chicken, barley, veggies and broth to make this warm and comforting slow cooker chicken barley soup!

Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker and Microwave
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs
5 cups chicken broth (I like the boxed varieties better than the canned)
1 sweet onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup pearled barley
1 tablespoons poultry seasoning
4 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Combine everything but carrots, celery, salt and pepper in slow cooker and stir to mix. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 3 to 3 and a half hours.
Remove chicken with slotted spoon, shred into bite-sized pieces with two forks and return to slow cooker.
Put carrots and celery in microwave-safe dish with about 1/8 cup water. Microwave for 4 minutes. Add carrots and celery to soup.
Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

- Chicken: We like chicken breasts for this recipe, but you can swap in boneless chicken thighs if you prefer.

- Barley: Barley is a slightly chewy, nutty whole grain that is full of fiber and that adds a wonderful heartiness to this soup. It comes in two forms, pearled barley and hulled barley. Both versions will work just fine for this recipe. Look for it in the rice aisle of your supermarket.

- Chicken broth: As always, we use the boxed versions of chicken broth instead of the canned – we think the flavor is fresher. But the canned version is fine if you would rather use that.

Find it online: https://www.framedcooks.com/slow-cooker-chicken-barley-soup/