Step 1

Put the ham bone in a large cooking pot with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Step 2

Add the chicken to the pot along with the bay leaves, thyme, parsley, celery, onions and peppercorns.

Step 3

Simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender – approximately 1 1/2 hours. When tender, set the chicken aside until cool enough to handle.

Step 4

Remove and discard the bones and skin from the chicken.

Step 5

Finely shred the chicken meat and return to the broth.

Step 6

Add the onion, butterbeans or baby lima beans, corn, potatoes, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, catsup, salt and red pepper flakes, if using. Add more water if needed to make a thick soupy stew.

Step 7

Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender