Chicken Vegetable Farro Soup

Once October arrives and the temperatures drop, I start craving soup again. Actually, I usually start craving soup in September, but October is cool enough to justify eating it on a regular basis. My favorite types of soups are like warm salads, full of vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

This week, I whipped up a batch of chicken noodle soup for Ryan’s lunches – and made a variation of the soup for myself. This chicken vegetable farro soup is both hearty and nutritious. After a run in the crisp fall temperatures, this soup will warm you up, satisfy your appetite, and give you the nutrition you need after a workout.

What are the nutritional benefits of this soup?

• Farro is a whole grain, which means it is rich in fiber, B vitamins, and protein. Whole grains such as farro are slow to digest, providing you with a satisfied appetite and a steady stream of energy.
• Farro provides 10% of your daily recommended iron, which improves energy and athletic performance.
• The beans and chicken provide lean protein, vital for muscle recovery.
• Chicken stock contains collagen, glucosamine, and gelatin, which can boost the immune system and promote gut health.
• Carrots and celery are both high in fiber and various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A.

When making a grain-based soup – chicken noodle, rice, or this chicken vegetable farro soup – I cook the grains and the rest of the soup separately. I find this method maintains a good texture for both the vegetables and the grains, rather than having mushy vegetables or undercooked grains. This works particularly well for the farro, which is cooked in a similar method to pasta. 

I make my chicken stock from scratch – which sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is. Whenever I roast a whole chicken, I reserve the bones. I combine water, the chicken bones, salt, and onion, celery, and carrots in the crockpot on high and let cook for 4-6 hours. Once the stock has cooled, I strain it and use for recipes such as this soup.

[Tweet “Easy to prepare Chicken Vegetable Farro Soup for a nutritious and delicious fall meal! via @thisrunrecipes #recipe #soup #farro”]

What’s your favorite type of soup?
Have you tried farro?