Lisa Cooks

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 carrots , diced into small even pieces
• 1 small onion , finely diced
• 2 celery stalks finely diced
• 2 boneless chicken breast , cut into ½" pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried
• kosher salt , to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup quick barley
• 4 cups baby spinach (optional)