Chicken, bow tie, and barley soup

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
1 bay leaf
12 cups water
1/2 cup pearl barley
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 (16-ounce) package bow-tie pasta

Directions

1. Place chicken, celery, onion, carrots, bay leaf, and 12 cups water in large pot. Bring to boil and add barley.
2. Reduce heat, cover, and cook until chicken and barley are done, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add basil and bouillon cubes.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, omitting oil and salt. Drain and set aside. Remove bay leaf and add pasta.