Chicken & Barley Soup

As the weather tempts us with thoughts of Autumn, my mind gets busy trying to craft *comfort* foods that fit within my current dietary needs.

Hubby is a fan of Beef Barley Soup, but I only eat beef or pork once a week these days and I have all this barley to use up, so I got creative.

This #KitchenExperiment turned out better than I could have dreamt! Yum-o!

Served with Garlic Cheese Toast Spread on hubby’s homemade bread.

Chicken & Barley Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 3 Tbsp no salt added tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp coconut aminos
• 1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 1/4 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp low sodium Worcestershire sauce
• Rounded 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• Rounded 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

1. Select SAUTE – NORMAL on Instant Pot.
2. Add to inner pot 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil and heat 30 secs.
3. Add chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1 celery rib, and chopped 1/2 yellow onion then saute 1 min.
4. Stir in rounded 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, rounded 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, then saute 1 min.
5. Stir in 3 Tbsp no salt added tomato paste and 1 1/4 tsp garlic then saute 1 min.
6. Stir in 1 1/2 lbs cubed chicken until well-coated then select CANCEL.
7. Remove just chicken (not veggies) to a plate and set aside in fridge to marinate.
8. Select SAUTE – NORMAL.
9. Add ½ cup pearl barley, 32 oz low sodium chicken broth, 1 1/2 tsp coconut aminos, and 1 tsp low sodium Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
10. Seal lid, then select PRESSURE COOK (or MANUAL) for 10 mins.
11. Once cooking cycle completes, do a quick release. 
12. Remove lid and add marinated chicken.
13. Seal lid, then select PRESSURE COOK (or MANUAL) for 6 mins.
14. Once cooking cycle completes, allow a natural release for 5 mins.
15. Remove lid and add any additional salt and/or pepper to taste. (I eat it as is. Hubby adds pepper.)

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	270
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1.7g	2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g	1%
Cholesterol 24mg	8%
Sodium 4280mg	186%
Total Carbohydrate 40.8g	15%
Dietary Fiber 5.4g	19%
Total Sugars 10.7g
Protein 21.1g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 109mg	8%
Iron 4mg	23%
Potassium 721mg	15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

#LowFat