Soup: Chicken & Barley Stew

A delicious stew made in a slow cooker that can be frozen in small portions for times when you don't want to cook.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Barley, Kale, Chicken Breast

Health benefits of Chicken & Barley Stew

Barley is about the best grain a woman with PCOS can eat. It is low in calories and has the lowest GI of all grains. Low-GI grains such as barley take much longer to digest and create a slow, steady rise in blood glucose and insulin levels. As mentioned before on Fertility Chef, low-GI foods reduce cravings. If possible, try and find hulled barley as it is the most nutrient dense of all types of barley. Kale is an excellent source of calcium, which has an important role in egg maturation and follicle development in the ovaries.

Skinless chicken breast, often heralded for its lean nutritional profile, is undeniably a powerhouse when it comes to protein content. With an impressive 21 grams of protein packed into every 100 grams of the breast, it emerges as a preferred choice for those conscious about their protein intake. Delving deeper into the nutritional matrix of chicken, one can't overlook the copious amounts of vitamin B6 it houses. This particular vitamin plays an indispensable role in our body, especially when discussing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) management.

For individuals grappling with PCOS, the internal hormonal turbulence can be overwhelming, often leading to a spike in testosterone and androgen levels. This is where vitamin B6 comes into the spotlight. Acting as a balancer, vitamin B6 diligently works behind the scenes to keep these hormones in check, ensuring they don't surge beyond desirable levels. It is this equilibrium that becomes paramount for those earnestly looking to curtail the excessive flow of testosterone and androgen. In the broader spectrum of PCOS management, incorporating foods rich in vitamin B6, like chicken breast, can be a strategic move, providing both nutritional sustenance and hormonal balance.

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic
1 cup parsley
2 cups bacon pieces
2 cups diced celery
3 cups kale
1 cup barley
1 tsp leaves oregano
1/2 tsp salt
5 chicken breasts
1 large onion
6 cups water

Instructions

1. Cut bacon, onion, celery, kale and mushrooms into small pieces.

Chop garlic into small pieces.

Cut chicken breasts in halves

2. Sauté bacon, onion, celery, mushrooms and garlic until cooked - onion should be translucent, bacon cooked but not hard.

3. Place chicken breasts, barley and spices on bottom of slow cooker. Add rest of ingredients.

4. Let cook in slow cooker until chicken is tender, and barley is soft (on low heat about 7 hours or on high heat about 4 hours).

5. Serve in bowls.

6. Note: great with crusty bread.