This Nigella chicken barley recipe is a comforting, nourishing one-pot dish that blends tender chicken with wholesome barley and aromatic vegetables. It delivers a rich, hearty texture while remaining balanced and nutritious. Perfect for cozy evenings, this dish is simple to prepare and ideal for family meals or meal prep.
Total Time:60 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
500g chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
1 cup pearl barley (rinsed)
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 carrots (sliced)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
5 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Optional: lemon juice for finishing
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add chicken and brown on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
Add rinsed barley and stir for 1–2 minutes.
Pour in chicken broth and mix well.
Return chicken to the pot and add thyme and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently.
Cook for 35–45 minutes until barley is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use homemade broth for deeper flavor.
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Add more broth if the mixture becomes too thick.
For extra freshness, add a squeeze of lemon before serving.
Substitute chicken with chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
