Chicken Barley Soup by 365 Days of Slow Cooking

– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 medium yellow onion, diced
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 3 1/2 cups chicken broth (or 3 1/2 cups water and 3 1/2 tsp better than bouillon chicken base)
– 1 large carrot, diced or grated
– 3 ribs of celery, diced
– 1 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 tsp dried basil
– 1/2 cup pearl barley
– 2 cups cooked and shredded/cubed chicken or turkey or 1 1/2 lbs uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
– 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes or petite diced tomatoes
– 3/4 tsp salt
– 1/4 tsp black pepper
– 1 bay leaf
– Parmesan cheese, for serving

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 18 min
Total Time: 38 min