Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breast halves
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, with juice
  • 1 cup tomato juice
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chile, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/3 cup uncooked medium barley
  • 1/3 cup uncooked medium grain brown rice
  • fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • cheese (optional)
  • sour cream (optional)

Method

  • Sprinkle chicken with pepper and lightly brown in a large nonstick skillet, 5 minutes on each side.
  • Place onion, chipotle pepper, and garlic in the crock pot, followed by the chicken.
  • Pour tomato juice over the chicken.
  • Sprinkle chicken with cumin, chili powder, and more black pepper.
  • Pour canned tomatoes & green chilis over chicken.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
  • Remove chicken, and stir uncooked rice and barley into the slow cooker (check the dryness at this time, too, and add some water or other liquid in if you need to).
  • Place chicken back on top and continue to cook on low for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 more hours until grains are tender but not overdone.
  • Serve with cheese and sour cream, if desired.