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Dutch Oven Chili Topped with Cornbread

Onteria West

This Dutch Oven Chili with Cornbread Recipe is what the family needs for a hearty, comfort meal year around!

I love feeding my family this delicious Dutch oven chili throughout the year, and especially during fall months. It’s easy to throw together and you can even use this on camping trips. Just think how lovely this would be cooking away in a campfire Dutch oven! This recipe gives you the familiar and yummy taste of traditional chili with a bit of a twist. The baked on cornbread definitely takes it to the next level and you can think of it kind of like a good old fashioned chicken pot pie.

Your family will gobble up this Dutch Oven chili and cornbread recipe and it will definitely become a new family favorite.

Keep scrolling for important kitchen essentials to make this tasty chili dish and step-by-step instructions for the best Dutch oven chili you’ll ever have!

Essential Items for the Best Dutch Oven Chili

Try out these kitchen essentials to get the bet results for your Dutch oven chili. I love my marble print Dutch oven and use it as often as I can. And you’ll definitely want the oven mitt and potholder set if you’re cooking over the fire.

Is Chili Better in the Slow Cooker or Dutch oven?

The truth is, it really depends on your preference. I prefer using my Dutch oven to make my Dutch oven chili. Well made, high quality help to transfer heat evenly. This helps to cook the Dutch oven chili well, trap the flavors more, and even circulate the aromas better throughout your home.

How to Make Easy and Delicious Dutch Oven Chili

Here’s how to make this tasty chili dish whether cooking at home or in a campfire Dutch oven. If you are cooking over a fire, be sure to keep the flames burning for even cooking. Check with a toothpick to ensure doneness.

INGREDIENTS

(Recipe adapted from Fresh Off the Grid)

For the Chili

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 1 tablespoon oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 teaspoons garlic powder)

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1-2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained

  • 1 (14.5 oz) can kidney beans, drained

  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

For chili toppings

  • sour cream

  • chives

  • shredded cheddar cheese

  • chopped parsley

For the Cornbread Topping (to save time you can even use a ready made mix, like Jiffy)

  • 1 cup cornmeal

  • ½ cup flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 egg, lightly beaten

  • 2 tablespoons honey

DIRECTIONS

PREHEAT your Dutch oven to 400 degrees.

SAUTE your onion in oil over medium heat until soft and just beginning to brown. ADD your garlic and spices and SAUTE for 1 minute. ADD in the beans, tomatoes, chiles, and tomato paste and STIR to combine. SIMMER for about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.

While the chili simmers, MIX all the dry ingredients for the cornbread in a medium bowl and STIR to combine. ADD the milk, egg, and honey and MIX well to form a batter.

REMOVE the Dutch oven from the heat and POUR the batter over the chili as evenly as possible, then COVER and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cornbread is cooked through. You can check for doneness using a toothpick inserted into the middle of the bread. When it comes out clean, it’s done!

NOTE: If you’re cooking over a fire, instead of placing your pot in the oven, you'll cover the top of the Dutch oven with embers or coals and try to maintain a heat of 400-425 degrees for the same amount of cooking time.

Once cooked through, serve with sour cream, chives, shredded cheddar cheese, and parsley garnish - or your favorite chili toppings and enjoy!

Check out the recipe card for this Dutch Oven Chili below!

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More Great Recipes to Try

I know your family will love this Dutch oven chili as much as mine and I can’t wait to hear your feedback. Try this for your next family camping trip or use this campfire Dutch oven recipe in your own backyard. If you want more family recipes, I’ve got a growing archive on the blog. And, be sure to check out:

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