Description
Hearty chicken and barley stew delivers comfort from French countryside kitchens with robust flavor profiles. Rich ingredients blend perfectly for satisfying meals that nourish you deeply.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (700g) chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 carrots (sliced)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale (chopped, optional)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup pearl barley (rinsed and drained)
- 6 cups chicken broth (or more, as needed)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 0.5 lemon juice
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Crusty bread (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Searing Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Brown chicken pieces on all sides, seasoning with salt and pepper, until a golden crust forms (5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Aromatic Vegetable Base: In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, and bay leaf, stirring to release their vibrant flavors and prevent burning.
- Assembling the Stew: Reintroduce browned chicken to the pot. Pour in barley, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes, creating a robust foundation for the dish.
- Simmering Process: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and cover. Allow ingredients to simmer and integrate for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Finishing Touches: Check barley for tender yet slightly chewy consistency. Add fresh spinach or kale, letting greens wilt for 2-3 minutes. Splash with fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor profile. Conduct a final seasoning adjustment, balancing salt and pepper to perfection.
Notes
- Enhance Chicken Browning: Pat chicken pieces dry before searing to achieve a deeper golden-brown crust, ensuring maximum flavor development and preventing soggy meat.
- Barley Cooking Precision: Monitor barley’s absorption rate carefully; different varieties might require slight liquid adjustments to maintain ideal texture without becoming mushy.
- Vegetable Layering Technique: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the stew.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version; use gluten-free barley alternatives like quinoa for gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg