Makes 4-6 servings
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-5 quart
2 (14 oz) cans chicken broth (or 3 cups water + bouillon)
1 shredded carrot
2 ribs of celery, finely diced
1 Tbsp dried onion
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 medium eggplant, shredded (or you can use 1/2 of a zucchini)
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (frozen is fine)
1/2 cup pearl barley or 1/2 cup long grain brown rice
1 1/2 cups milk, room temperature (cream or even half and half would be awesome)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pesto
1. Add broth, carrot, celery, onion. oregano, garlic and eggplant to slow cooker. Stir. Add in chicken and rice and stir.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for about 4-6 hours until chicken is cooked and the rice/barley is chewy and soft.
3. Remove chicken and shred or cut into small pieces. Add back into slow cooker.
4. Stir in milk, Parmesan and pesto. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes on HIGH.
5. Ladle into bowls and serve with additional pesto and Parmesan, if desired.
Review:
I love pesto! Yummers. I need to eat it more. I really liked it in this soup. However, I was wishing that the soup was a bit thicker. I would probably add it a bit of flour next time as well as the half and half instead of milk. 4 stars.
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Sounds great but the fat on top of the soup of the picture looks very very unappetizing to me. I think I’d put it in the fridge, remove the fat once it s hard and th try it. (My stomach doesn’t do fat stuff too well).
When is the Barley or rice added? It is not listed in the directions.
whoopsie! I just edited the recipe. It goes in at the beginning with everything else.
yes, Lacey, I think that would work!
Do you think I can prep everything and put it in the crock early in the morning and have my housemate start it prior to her leaving at noon? I just don’t want to ask to much of her, so if I can have it all ready and all she has to do is push start that would be fabulous 🙂
Brittany,
You could probably substitute with almond milk…I haven't had almond milk but I'm assuming it tastes similar to regular? I don't think coconut would be the best choice.
Do you think I could substitute Almond Milk, or Coconut Milk instead of regular milk/cream? Thanks!