Try this flavorful, delicious, creamy, hearty Chicken Barley Chili. So simple to make and it feeds an army!
Hearty & Delicious Comfort Food
I really can’t say enough about this Chicken Barley Chili. It’s one of my favorite cold weather comfort foods!
This stuff gets devoured in my house! Friends & family – everyone loves it!
This chili is delicious, nutritious, filling & it’s so easy to make! This makes a ton of chili – I’d say about 10 large servings. You’ll love the leftovers too – soups, stews and chili always have a way of tasting better the next day.
Looking for some more hearty, comforting soup & chili recipes? Check out these recipes : Buffalo Chicken Chili, Sauerkraut Sausage Soup & Cowboy Soup
Ingredients & Instructions
This chili really isn’t much more than sauteing an onion and some garlic and throwing a bunch of canned ingredients together in a pot.
You’ll notice ” 1 1/2 pounds of cooked chicken” is listed as an ingredient. I’m going to recommend poaching the chicken in a heavily seasoned broth. There’s absolutely no reason you should add bland chicken to this chili. Take it up a notch. Create layers of flavor – you’ll appreciate every bite.
Poaching is such a simple technique and results in foolproof tender and flavorful chicken breasts. I use a large dutch oven where all chicken breast tenders fit in without too much crowding. I added 1 1/2 cup of broth made from a tomato/chicken bouillon, 1 heaping tablespoon Adobo seasoning (Goya brand), 1/4 teaspoon pepper and a pinch of oregano. The chicken goes into the chili towards the end of cooking. So get the chili going then poach the chicken and shred it.
Sour cream is a must!
Serve this chili with a big spoonful of sour cream and shredded cheese. This chili is delicious as is – but the sour cream and cheese take it to a whole other level. It’s so thick, creamy, delicious – it’s almost like a dip.
Don’t forget a bowl of tortilla chips for dipping or crushing on top. If you feel the need for a little heat, add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.
Hope you enjoy this Chicken Barley Chili as much as we do!
Amanda ♥
Recipe adapted from the back of a Quaker Oats Barley Box
Chicken Barley Chili
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 can diced tomatoes undrained (14.5 oz can)
- 1 can chicken broth 14.5 oz or 1 3/4 cup broth
- 1 jar/can salsa 15 oz – 20 oz
- 4 cup water
- 1 cup Quaker Medium Barley
- 3 tablespoon sofrito optional
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon chipotle powder optional
- pinch of pepper
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed (15 oz)
- 1 can corn undrained (15 oz)
- 1 1/2 – 2 pound chicken breast cooked and shredded (I recommend poaching in a heavily seasoned broth)
- 1 tablespoon shredded cheese each serving
- 1 tablespoon sour cream each serving
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a LARGE dutch oven or stockpot, heat up oil and add onions. Saute for about 10 minutes or until onions are golden.
- Add minced garlic, saute for a minute.
- Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce (or salsa), broth, water, barley, sofrito, chili powder, salt, cumin, chipotle powder and pepper.
- Over medium-high heat, stirring often, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add beans, corn and chicken. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often. Check that barley is tender. Remove from heat.
- Season to taste with salt & pepper if necessary.
- Top with a spoonful of shredded cheese and sour cream and mix it all up. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy : )
- Recipe adapted from Quaker Oats
Eliza
This looks amazing – I love to use barley in our house, and this looks like a definite winner for us this winter!
(And I agree – leftovers are always sooo much tastier!)
Thanks for contributing to The Sunday Brunch Magazine!
All the best,
Eliza & Bel.
Amanda
Thanks Eliza! This chili is a family favorite – everyone looks so sad when there are no more leftovers : ). Thanks so much for sharing my recipe in The Sunday Brunch Magazine! The magazine looks great!
Wendy
I love a thick bowl of chili. YUM
P~
This looks and sounds delicious! I love that you used sofrito in it! <3 P~
Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Mmmm…so hearty and filling!! I love the use of chicken and barley in this chili! Pinned!!
Amy (Savory Moments)
This chili looks so creamy and totally yummy! I’ve never seen the Quaker barley recipe, but I think it’s a terrific and must-try idea!
Laura Dembowski
I love different twists on chili!