A Dutch oven treat that is perfect for your next outdoor adventure

Tales of the Dinner Belle

By Brenda Stanley

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and that includes cooking. Avoiding a hot kitchen is not the only reason to take the kitchen outside. There are so many fun and delicious things to prepare on the grill or in a Dutch oven. My Dutch oven soda pop chicken is a favorite with my family and something I make on almost every camping trip. It has so many homey and satisfying flavors and the chicken is tender and coated with a light and savory breading. The soda pop adds flavor but also tenderness to the chicken and veggies- and who doesn’t love bacon? This dish is quick to put together and is done all in one pan, making it the perfect camp or outdoor meal.

Belle’s Dutch Oven Soda Pop Chicken

½ pound bacon cut in 1-inch chunks

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch cubes

½ tablespoon seasoned salt

½ cup flour

1 onion, chopped

2 pounds red potatoes, quartered

1 pound carrots, cut into 2-inch chunks

1 cup lemon-lime soda

Fry bacon in the Dutch oven until crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, but leave the grease in the pan. Set bacon aside. In a large zip close plastic bag, combine the seasoned salt and flour. Place the chicken chunks in the bag and shake to coat. Add the chicken to the pan and brown in the hot grease. Remove the chicken and set aside. Place in layers- first the onions, then the potatoes, the carrots, the chicken, and the bacon. Pour the soda over everything. Cover with the Dutch oven lid and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender. This can also be done in your home oven. Just bake at 350 degrees for an hour.

If you like tender breaded chicken, try these recipes: