Creamy Chicken and Barley Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup (200g) pearl barley 1 cup (200g) pearl barley
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 5g
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the pearl barley, chicken broth, diced carrots, celery, and red bell pepper.
4. 4.
   Season the stew with ground cumin, paprika, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the barley is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Stir in the lemon juice and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Creamy Chicken and Barley Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Barley — Rinse the barley thoroughly before using to remove any impurities. This will ensure a cleaner taste and better texture in the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• To add extra creaminess to the stew, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables in the stew based on your preferences or what you have on hand. You can add peas, corn, or even diced potatoes for variation.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the stew.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious the next day.
• Serve the stew with crusty bread or Turkish flatbread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Chicken and Barley Stew in deep bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Accompany it with a side of warm bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, drizzle a swirl of olive oil on top of the stew just before serving. This adds a glossy sheen and a touch of elegance to the dish.