Supercharged Chicken, Barley & Kale Soup

Serves: 5-6 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 brown onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 cm piece of fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 leek, finely chopped
  • 1 fennel, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 500g chicken breast
  • 5L water
  • 2 cubes of reduced salt chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 shallots
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • ¾ cup pearl barley
  • 3 cups kale, chopped
  • ¼ bunch of fresh parsley, to serve
  • Wholegrain bread, to serve

Method

  1. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, leek, fennel, carrots, celery, stirring for 2- 3 minutes, until tender.
  2. Add chicken to the pot, stirring for 4 – 5 , minutes until the chicken is opaque all over.
  3. Add the water and stock cubes, thyme, bay leaves, 1 shallot, peppercorns and bring to the boil. Leave to cook for 12-15 minutes.
  4. Add the barley to the pot and then cover, reduce the heat and leave to simmer until the barley is tender and chicken is cooked through (12-15 minutes). Using a fork, shred the chicken in the soup.
  5. Add kale and cook for 5 minutes, or until wilted.
  6. Garnish the soup with shallots and fresh parsley and serve with a slice of wholegrain bread.

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