A Halloween chili cook-off was being held in my area, so I thought I’d tweak an awesome soup recipe I have and see if I could make a great chili as well. It turned out great and I tied for first place for the golden pumpkin award.

Step 1: Ingredients

1 onion, diced

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, trim the fat

1 can (15 oz.) crushed tomatoes

4-6 cups great northern white beans, cooked and drained (previously I tried black beans, but didn't like the result)

2 cans (4 oz.) chopped hot green chili peppers

1 can (10 oz.) medium enchilada sauce

1 can (14.5 oz.) chicken broth

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. each salt and cumin

1/2 tsp. chili powder (or 1 tsp. if you want it hotter)

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 pkg. (8-10 oz.) frozen corn

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Step 2: Tools and Utensils

12" Witch's Kettle (or a Dutch oven, a deep 12" Dutch oven would look even better as a Witch's Kettle)

Knife and cutting board

Garlic press

Can opener

Halloween decorations such as a skeleton serving spoon, Halloween hot pads, leaves, or a pumpkin

I used an oven this time because it was cold outside, but you could use briquettes.

Briquettes (use a chimney starter)

Tongs to handle hot briquettes

Tool or glove to handle a hot Dutch oven

Step 3: Super Easy Preparation

Place the chicken breasts over a bed of the diced onions.

Dump in all the ingredients except the corn and cilantro.

Mix slightly.

Step 4: Cook and Serve

Cook in the oven at 375⁰F for 1 hour or until the chicken is done.

To cook using briquettes:

To achieve 375⁰ F, place 10 briquettes under the Dutch oven and 18 briquettes on top of the Dutch oven.

Most briquettes last about 45-60 min. Be prepared to check the briquettes and replace them with a second batch of hot briquettes if needed.

Once it's done cooking, stir in the frozen corn and cilantro.

Shred the chicken, then stir everything together.

Decorate around the kettle with Halloween items. A skeleton spoon or other Halloween themed spoon for serving is ideal.

Serve and enjoy.

Step 5: A Few More Tips for Cooking With a Dutch Oven

The best long term outdoor survival skill is to eat well. In order to eat well, you must cook well.

Here is the formula to cooking well outdoors with a Dutch oven for 325°F heat:

Dutch oven diameter = X
Place X - 4 briquettes under the Dutch oven
Place X + 4 briquettes on top of the Dutch oven

To increase or decrease the heat in increments of 25°F:

Add (or remove) one briquette each to the top and bottom for every 25°F

Therefore our 375°F cooking temperature is:

Bottom = 12(for the diameter) - 4(for the rule) + 2(for the extra 50°F) -> 10 briquettes on bottom
Top = 12(for the diameter) + 4(for the rule) +2(for the extra 50°F) -> 18 briquettes on top