Soothing Turmeric Chicken Pearl Barley (Printable)

Golden soup with tender chicken, pearl barley, and warming turmeric for comfort and restoration.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 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 yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 small zucchini, diced

→ Broth & Seasonings

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Garnishes

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, ground turmeric, cumin, and dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the surface begins to turn opaque.
04 - Pour in chicken broth, add pearl barley, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add diced zucchini, cover, and continue simmering for 10 to 15 minutes until pearl barley is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of soup that tastes like it took hours but demands less than two from start to finish.
  • Pearl barley does something magical here—it softens into this creamy texture that makes the whole bowl feel luxurious without any cream.
  • Turmeric gives it that golden warmth that feels genuinely nourishing, not just comforting.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing of the pearl barley; it's the difference between silky soup and a gluey mess.
  • Add the zucchini at the very end so it stays fresh and doesn't turn into mush—this one detail changes the whole texture of the finished bowl.
03 -
  • Low-sodium broth lets the turmeric and other seasonings shine; if you use regular broth, reduce the salt to half a teaspoon and adjust as needed.
  • Make a double batch and freeze it in individual portions—it tastes just as good reheated, and you'll be grateful on a difficult day.
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