Southwestern Chicken Barley Tomato Soup

Warm up with a bowl of Southwestern Chicken Barley Tomato Soup, a hearty and flavor-packed meal that brings bold southwestern spice to your kitchen. This one-pot wonder combines tender chicken, nutty quick-cooking barley, and vibrant vegetables like bell pepper and sweet corn in a rich tomato-infused broth. Enhanced with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, it delivers a smoky, zesty kick in every spoonful. With just 15 minutes of prep and easy-to-follow steps, this soup is perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or meal prep. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing finish, and savor the comforting balance of wholesome ingredients and bold flavors in every bite. Ideal for serving six, this soup is as nutritious as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breasts, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 0.75 cup quick-cooking barley
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 4 pieces lime wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, barley, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Return the cooked chicken to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until the barley is tender.

Step 8

Stir in the frozen corn and cook for another 5 minutes.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If desired, garnish with fresh cilantro.

Step 10

Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for a zesty finish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3275.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1960.1

Total Fat 50.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 385.6mg	0%
Sodium 6205.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 194.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.2g	0%
Total Sugars 42.7g
Protein 183.8g	0%

Vitamin D 22.7IU	0%
Calcium 430.6mg	0%
Iron 20.7mg	0%
Potassium 5235.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.2%

Protein: 37.4%

Carbs: 39.5%