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Cajun Chicken Barley Vegetable Soup


  • Author: amanda-miller
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Description

A hearty stovetop soup combining chicken, vegetables, and barley, perfect for chilly nights.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup mild hot peppers, frozen (diced, optional)
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 14-ounce canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup corn kernels, frozen or fresh
  • 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup barley, pearled or hulled
  • 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
  • 6 cups spinach, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large, 6-quart stock pot over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the diced onions, red bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions turn glossy.
  3. Add the cubed chicken and Cajun seasoning. Toss with the vegetables, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, corn, grated carrots, chicken broth, barley, and sliced sausage. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat. Cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes for pearled barley (35-45 minutes for hulled) or until the barley is tender.
  5. Once the barley is tender, add the chopped spinach and cook uncovered for another 3-5 minutes until the spinach wilts down.
  6. Season with salt to taste and serve hot.

Notes

Serve with warm bread or a simple salad. Leftovers can be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge or frozen for up to 3 months.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg