Soothing Turmeric Chicken Pearl Barley (Printable)

Golden soup with tender chicken, pearl barley, and warming turmeric for comfort and nourishment in every spoonful.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), diced

→ Grains

02 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 small zucchini, diced

→ Broth & Seasonings

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Garnishes

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How-To:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in the garlic, turmeric, cumin, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until just starting to turn opaque.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth, add the pearl barley, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add the diced zucchini, cover, and simmer for another 10–15 minutes, or until barley is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's the kind of soup you can eat when you need comfort but also when you're trying to be good to your body, a rare balance.
  • Pearl barley has this subtle, almost sweet earthiness that makes the whole bowl feel more substantial without weighing you down.
  • The turmeric doesn't shout at you; it whispers, creating this gentle golden hue that's as visually soothing as it is restorative.
02 -
  • Turmeric can stain everything it touches, so use a wooden spoon or non-porous utensils and wipe spills immediately rather than letting them set into your cutting board.
  • Don't let the soup come to a rolling boil or the chicken will tighten up and become stringy—a gentle simmer with occasional bubbles is all you need.
03 -
  • Don't be afraid to taste as you go and adjust the seasonings boldly—turmeric can sometimes need more salt than you'd expect to really sing.
  • If you accidentally overcook the barley and it becomes too soft, strain some of it out and replace it with a fresh batch added near the end next time, learning from the mistake rather than avoiding barley altogether.
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