This Green Bean and Barley Chicken Casserole is a recipe from Country Living. It seems that most Southern recipes have a crunchy topping. This one is particularly delicious because it uses cheese crackers.
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Ingredients
Cooking spray, for baking dish
4 Tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, divided
½ sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
⅓ cup dry white wine
1½ cups chicken stock
4 ounces ⅓ less-fat cream cheese, cut into pieces
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
3 cups cooked pearl barley (from 1 uncooked cup)
8 ounces green beans, steamed and chopped
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 cup cheese crackers, crumbled
Directions
1Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
2Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in wine and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes.
3Whisk in cream cheese, one piece at a time, then Parmesan, until smooth. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir in chicken, barley, green beans, and parsley. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan.
4Melt the remaining tablespoon butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add cheese crackers and stir to coat; sprinkle over casserole. Bake until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes.