Spring Chicken & Barley Soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

2 cloves garlic, divided

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 large bone-in chicken breast, (10-12 ounces), skin removed, trimmed

1/3 cup pearl barley

1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes

1 cup trimmed and diagonally sliced asparagus, (1/4 inch thick)

1 cup fresh or thawed frozen peas

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

1/2 cup lightly packed torn fresh basil leaves

1 strip orange zest, (1/2 by 2 inches)

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 4 minutes. Grate or finely chop 1 clove garlic; add to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, chicken and barley. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon. Return the broth to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, shred the chicken or cut into bite-size pieces; discard the bone.

3. When the barley is done, add the chicken, tomatoes and juice, asparagus, peas, salt and a grinding of pepper; return to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes more.

4. Coarsely chop the remaining garlic clove. Gather basil, orange zest and the garlic and finely chop together. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with a generous pinch of the basil mixture.

Tip:
MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 3, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat the soup, thin with broth if desired and finish with Step 4 just before serving.