Pinterest Win: Chicken Barley Soup

I love soup, all year round, I love it! I think there is always time for soup. It can be 110 degrees outside, and I want it. John and I wanted a low key night on Friday because I had some fun nights on Wednesday and Thursday, plus we had two pool parties on Saturday and a brunch planned on Sunday. I figured I would make John dinner and we would have something comforting and light. (Yes, to answer your question... it is hard to be so popular...)

This recipe comes from my Pinterest board, aptly named Soups. I know... shocker! It is on a pin from Southern Living called 51 Satisfying Soups & Stews. Yes, 51! These soup recipes look really good, and I chose one that seemed the lightest. Instead of making you guys search for this recipe, I am kind enough to give you the exact link: http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/chunky-chicken-barley-soup-10000001536747/.

Of course, since it was Southern Living I am pretty sure they had someone stage the food. Their picture looks really good.

Photo from www.myrecipes.com

Even their bowl is fancier. Once I finish telling you about the experience, you'll see I do not have stagers helping me. Just me!

First, I have to tell you the "DOH!" moment of the recipe. You know there is always one with me...

I went to HEB Friday morning to get the groceries. I got the fresh veggies and garlic, and then remembered to get chicken. I decided to get the already cooked grilled chicken from the lunch meat section. We already had so  much meat at the house that getting a whole chicken to shred seemed stupid to me. (Please keep this last sentence in mind.)

I come home and tell John I am making him soup. Luckily he likes soup, too. Otherwise, he won't be thrilled a lot with what I make! In the middle of telling him about the groceries I got, it hit me. Like a bag of bricks... Hit. Me. HARD! We still have tons of meat leftover from the smoking John did on Sunday. In case you don't remember the picture, I am going to include it again below.

Yes, right in the middle of the picture there is chicken. You see chicken. A crap load of chicken! Geesh! I decided to put the new chicken away and use the smoked chicken for the soup. ( that Still shaking my head...)

This was a great and light soup. Wasn't too hearty that we felt it was more of a wintery soup, but it was filling enough for both of us. Keep in mind, when the recipe says it makes 4 servings... it ain't lying. John and I each had two bowls. Luckily, I don't eat as much as him so there is a small bowl left over. Otherwise, we would have eaten it all Friday night.

I'm a garlic lover so I used a little more than the recipe called for. I'm glad I bought fresh garlic, rather than using the pre-jarred kind I already had in the fridge. I didn't read the label well the last time I bought thyme, and accidentally got ground rather than the dried. I used a little more ground than the dried that the recipe called for to make sure I got the flavor. In addition, I added rosemary and red pepper flakes. The red pepper a perfect amount of heat - it wasn't overpowering, and had a good "bite" to it. Plus, using the smoked chicken rather than regular chicken really added flavor. I was impressed. If you have a chance to do that you really should. If you don't have easy access to smoked chicken, you might want to add  something to recipe to make it more flavorful.

I am really happy with this soup. Definitely making it again. Maybe next time I'll find a stager to help me take a better picture. But knowing me, probably not...

Now, go out there and make you some soup!