Chicken Barley Soup

diced cooked chicken (or 2 boneless-skinless chicken breasts)

chicken stock, homemade or canned

water

generous T Better Than Bouillon organic vegetable soup base (optional, but recommended for best flavor, other types of veggie stock cubes can be used)

dried thyme (or use frozen thyme leaves if you have them)

poultry seasoning

dried parsley

onion, chopped small

chopped celery

sliced or diced carrots (or more if you really like carrots)

cup pearl barley

fresh ground black pepper to taste, salt if desired