Ingredient Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Thighs Chicken, Barley & Mushroom Soup 4.8 (11) 9 Reviews This healthy chicken soup recipe is chock-full of sturdy root vegetables and whole-grain barley. You can use any combination of dried and fresh mushrooms here. The soup will thicken as it sits on the stove--thin it as needed with more broth or water. By Katie Workman Updated on April 18, 2024 Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Cook Time: 45 mins Additional Time: 1 hr Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 8 servings Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms 2 cups boiling water 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 medium leeks, white and pale-green parts only, rinsed and coarsely chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 8 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps coarsely chopped 8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced 1 teaspoon salt Coarsely ground pepper to taste 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth ½ cup pearl barley 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar Directions Soak dried shiitakes in boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and reserve the liquid. Squeeze the mushrooms to remove excess liquid, then dice. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic; cook, stirring, until very soft, about 4 minutes. Add carrots, fresh shiitakes, white mushrooms, salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until the vegetables start to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until it is no longer pink on the outside, about 4 minutes. Add broth, barley, thyme, the reserved soaking liquid and chopped soaked mushrooms. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer until the barley is tender, about 50 minutes. Stir in vinegar. Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, Soup Cookbook Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 241 Calories 9g Fat 24g Carbs 18g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 8 Serving Size 1 1/4 cups Calories 241 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 24g 9% Dietary Fiber 4g 16% Total Sugars 4g Protein 18g 36% Total Fat 9g 12% Saturated Fat 2g 10% Cholesterol 38mg 13% Vitamin A 3147IU 63% Vitamin C 6mg 7% Folate 44mcg 11% Sodium 401mg 17% Calcium 47mg 4% Iron 2mg 13% Magnesium 46mg 11% Potassium 611mg 13% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.