I don’t know about you, but this Chicken & Barley Salad Recipe is a great light and easy meal you are going to fall in love with. A few ingredients and you have a tasty and healthy meal that is satisfying while being light. That’s hard to find, but I have accomplished it for you!
Chicken & Barley Salad Recipe
Barley is a grain that is often overlooked. Many use it in recipes for soups and stews, but did you know it works wonderfully for texture in a light salad? This chicken and barley salad can bring the best of both worlds. You have the lightness and bright flavor of a salad, with the satisfying fiber of the barley. While I add in chicken, you could easily skip the chicken and make this a vegetarian dish.
Making the Barley
Soak it for several hours in couple cups of water, rinse and drain. Stir the soaked barley and water/stock in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Season with salt and cover and let it simmer for 25 to 30 minutes till it reaches the desired level of chewiness. Add more water if required or drain if there’s excess water.
Directions for preparing Barley Salad:
Take a large bowl and add the barley, slivered almonds, chicken pieces, parsley, freshly cracked black pepper and desired amount of dressing. Season the spinach with salt and pepper and drizzle a little dressing on it. Serve the spinach on the side or mix it in the salad.
As you can see, this chicken and barley salad is a fairly easy meal to assemble. The barley itself takes the most time to prepare, but you can easily make it in a larger batch early in the week and portion out for use in recipes like this or others throughout the week.
How To Serve A Barley Salad
I prefer to mix this together into one bowl for an all in one meal. However, you may find that you want to assemble as a bowl with all ingredients separate and allow everyone to mix together for themselves. If you prefer, you can add in other vegetable elements, but this blend is ideal, in my opinion.
This Chicken and Barley Salad is sure to be a favorite healthier salad meal that everyone in your family will love. While a lighter healthy meal, it still offers satisfying fiber of barley and the protein you want from chicken. Don’t forget to check out our other great recipes listed below!
More Easy Recipes:
What’s your favorite way to make barley? Do you have any Barley Salad Recipes or ideas to share with us?
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25-30 minutes |
| Servings | servings |
- 1 1/2 Cups Barley Cooked
- 1 tbsp Dressing see dressing recipe
- 2 tbsp packed finely chopped parsley
- 1/4 Cup Slivered almonds
- 1/2 Cup Grilled Chicken Chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 Cups Baby Spinach
- Salt & freshley Cracked Pepper to taste
Ingredients
| |
- Whisk juice from half a lemon + 1 tsp minced garlic + 1/4 Cup olive oil together. Season with salt & freshly cracked pepper.
You can use any type of cooked chicken you'd like. If you're in a hurry you can use leftover chicken or even rotisserie chicken. They are all a yummy addition.
This sounds so good. I just took out some chicken and wasn’t sure what to make with it. This is my recipe for today. Thank you so much for sharing
This looks so good! I’m going to make it this weekend.
This looks so healthy and yummy. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect: Healthy and Delicious! I would add a sunny side up egg for a Greek Bowl.
This looks really interesting. I like barley but haven’t ever had in something cold before. I am going to try it. It would be a fun way to dress up a salad.
I really like the dressing you have for this. Light and yummy.
this sounds yummy! thanks for sharing.
What a different way to enjoy chicken. I am anxious to try this recipe.
I love barley. I’ve been making grains in my slow cooker, and I’d like to try this!
Thanks So Much for Sharing This Recipe for Chicken & Barley Salad, it Looks & Sounds Amazing! I Love a Good Salad and it’s Nice to Have Something New & Unique b/c plain Old Salad Gets a Little Boring! I Have Been Trying to Eat Healthier Too So This is Great! Thanks Again and Have a Blessed Day! – Jana
This is delicious! Light and healthy! Thank you.
This looks good. I love barley. Unfortunately, it doesn’t love me.
Yummm! Looks healthy and delish. Pinned.
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I don’t think I’ve ever used barley.
Sounds like a delicious light meal.
This looks delicious and healthy!
This chicken & barley salad looks so good, something I would love to have during the summer months when it is so hot. A big glass of ice tea & it would make a lovely meal. The kids would probably not eat it, but I’d be in heaven! Thanks for the recipe!
I have never tried barley. I will have to make this and give it a try. Thank you for sharing.
looks so delicious and a healthy salad recipe.. thanks for sharing
This looks so good ! I have never cooked barley
This looks wonderful–I’ve bookmarked it. Thanks!
This look’s amazing, I can’t wait to try it!! I love lemon and spinach, so I should love this, plus I am always looking for healthy new meals.
I have used barley in soups but never in a salad.
I would definitely would love to try the Chicken & Barley Salad. I think it is a great plate, of which it’s on my menu later in the week.
it looks good I’ve never had barley.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love simple recipes for quick dinner nights.
I’ve used barley in soups & stews but never thought to use it in a salad. I’ll have to try this! Thanks!
looks really healthy and Delicious
I am a big barley fan have used in soups a lot. But this looks so good and sounds so easy I just may makes this today.,
i like the dressing. looks yummy… thanks for sharing the recipe
I’d have to switch out a couple things due to food allergies, but this looks, light, fresh, and healthy!
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