CReole Chicken, Greens and Barley

2 tsp olive oil, divided
10 oz skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cubed
1 large sweet onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 rib celery, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 tbsp salt-free Creole seasoning
1/4 tsp liquid smoke flavouring
1 cup beer or low-sodium tomato juice
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
2 cups chopped kale
2/3 cup pearl barley

Heat half the olive oil in a pot over high heat. Add the chicken cubes and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
Heat remaining oil in the pot over medium high.
Add onions, peppers, celery and garlic and cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the tomatoes, Creole seasoning and liquid smoke, then add the beer, chicken stock, kale and barley and bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 40 minutes.
Stir chicken back into the pot, re-cover and simmer another 15 minutes.

Serving Size: 4 bowls

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user JO_JO_BA.