Chicken and Barley Soup

Chicken and Barley Soup

10 cups water

3 chicken drumsticks and 1 whole bone-in chicken breast, split, skin removed

1 medium onion, quartered

8 garlic cloves, peeled (4 left whole and 4 very thinly sliced)

2 bay leaves

6 sprigs fresh thyme

12 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus 2 teaspoons coarsely chopped

1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

2 medium carrots, cut into 4-inch pieces

2 celery stalks, cut into 4-inch pieces

1 cup pearl barley

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

2 teaspoons olive oil

Bring water, chicken, onion, whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, thyme and parsley sprigs, peppercorns, carrots, and celery to a boil in a pot, skimming foam from surface as necessary.  Reduce heat, and gently simmer until broth turns deep gold, about 1 1/2 hours.  Let cool, then skim fat from surface.

Meanwhile, cook barley according to package instructions.

Strain stock, reserving chicken breasts and discarding all other solids.  Remove meat from bone, and shred into 2-inch pieces.  Reheat stock and chicken in a saucepan, and stir in salt.

Just before serving, finely chop remaining parsley with the lemon zest until combine.  Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add sliced garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds.

Divide barley, stock and chicken among 6 bowls.  Garnish with sliced garlic and parsley-lemon mixture.