Chicken Vegetable Barley Soup

While I try to prepare most of our meals from scratch, or as close to scratch as possible, I do cheat a bit when it comes to chicken.  Each week, we purchase a rotisserie chicken when we buy our groceries. Although, I have found the perfect way to cook a whole chicken, sometimes it's just easier to pick up one that's already prepared.  Not only does the rotisserie chicken make a great "home cooked" meal when served with a big bowl of Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes and some steamed veggies, I love having the leftovers in the fridge.  Perfect to have on hand to add some protein to a leafy salad or to add to soups or pot pies.

Need more ideas for preparing chicken?  Check out this post for more than 100 chicken recipes!

Over the weekend, I made some homemade chicken stock using the bones from 2 rotisserie chickens.  One was still pretty meaty and the other was picked over really well!  When the broth was made and about 2 cups of chicken set aside, it was time for soup!  Good timing too since I was starting to feel a bit under the weather...and with the weather we've been experiencing, it's no wonder!

Since we've already had a few pots of chicken noodle soup so far this winter, I decided to try a soup loaded with veggies and some barley.

Chicken Vegetable Barley Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 1 cup baby carrots, chopped 
• 3 potatoes, diced 
• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped
• 9 cups chicken stock (I used homemade) 
• 3 cups water 
• 2 bouillon cubes (optional) 
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1 tsp. 21 Season Salute 
• 1 cup cut green beans
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup peas
• 1/2 cup barley 

 Directions:  

• I started with partially cooked veggies.  Just steamed for a little while to soften them up a bit.  You could steam them in just a little bit of water or even some of your chicken broth/stock.  
• To your veggies, add the remaining ingredients.  
• Bring to boil.  Cover and reduce heat.  
• Simmer for about 30-40 minutes until barley is tender.  
• Remove bay leaf and serve.  

I've shared this recipe on the following blog carnivals and linky parties:

• Wake Up Wednesday
• The Homemaking Party