Soothing Turmeric Chicken with Pearl Barley (Print Version)

A comforting golden soup with tender chicken, pearl barley, and warming spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 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 onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 small zucchini, diced
08 - 3.5 oz baby spinach leaves

→ Broth and Seasonings

09 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

→ Garnish

17 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned on all sides, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and add pearl barley and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 35 minutes.
05 - Add zucchini and continue simmering for 10 minutes until barley is tender and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Stir in spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and lemon juice. Remove bay leaf.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort without feeling heavy, which is honestly rare and worth holding onto.
  • The barley adds this satisfying chew that makes you slow down and actually taste what you're eating.
  • Once you start it, you barely have to think—just let it simmer while you breathe and exist for a bit.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the spices in that one minute—it's the difference between a soup that tastes like an idea and one that tastes like intention.
  • Taste as you go, especially with the salt and lemon at the end, because those two things are where you find the perfect balance for your palate.
03 -
  • Make a big batch and freeze portions—future you will be grateful for unexpected comfort that only takes reheating.
  • If the soup looks too thick, broth is always your friend; don't let it get stodgy when a splash of warm liquid fixes it immediately.
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