This hearty chicken soup is loaded with tender chicken, mushrooms, vegetables, and wholesome barley. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for chilly days or whenever you need a nourishing meal.
Note: Social media often claims this soup is “natural morphine” or that it cures muscle, joint, or rheumatic pain. There is no scientific evidence that any soup works like morphine or can treat these conditions. However, this soup provides protein, vegetables, and fiber as part of a healthy diet.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 8 cups (2 liters) chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (or 2 cooked chicken breasts)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
