Easy Southwest Chicken Soup

It's cold outside, so you want a meal that'll warm you from the inside out, but you don't want something heavy. Yet you're crazy busy, deadlines are about to strangle you. You have no time to prepare a meal. Mindy here to tell you, "Yes, you do."

Wouldn't this hit the spot on a cold winter's day? And wouldn't it be great if there was enough to feed a family of four and still leave you some for lunch the next day? Then this is the recipe for you.

Here's what you'll need:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 3 this time)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 - 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 
• 1 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes (I used the petite diced)
• 1 - 10 oz can Ro-tel diced tomatoes with green chilies (they have original, mild and spicier varieties; I use original, but it you want the flavor but not the spice, use the mild)
• 3 cups chicken broth (I prefer the low-sodium variety)
• 1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1-2 cups frozen corn

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a CrockPot or slow cooker.

Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

Add tomatoes, Ro-tel, chicken broth, black beans tomato paste, onion and bell pepper.

Stir, trying not to disturb the chicken.

Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours.

See, I told you it was easy. Now you have the rest of the day to knockout your to-do list.
Approximately and hour to an hour and a half before cooking is done, stir in the frozen corn.

You could add it at the beginning, if you prefer, but I like a little crunch to my corn.

When cooking time is up, remove chicken breasts and shred the meat.

Return meat to slow cooker, stir and serve.

I like to top mine with a little avocado, shredded cheese and some cilantro for a pop of color.

That's it. Tons of flavor, healthy... And you didn't spend all day slaving over it. I love when I can put something on to cook in the morning and then emerge from my writing cave late in the day to discover that dinner is ready and waiting. Oh, and I usually don't have to worry about lunch the next day, but that would depend on how many you're feeding the first time around.

Okay, so today I'm dealing with computer issues. Not the computer, per se, but my business email account. And let me tell you, nothing can suck the life out of this technologically-challenged blond faster than tech problems. Oy! You know, out of five kiddos, you would have thought that one of them would have gone into computers so they could be there mother's personal computer guru, but no. They chose things like teaching, engineering, welding and admin. Ungrateful brats. 

Which means I'm going to turn the reins over to you all before I blow a gasket. Do you have a favorite CrockPot meal? How are you at technical issues? Do they drive you as batty as they do me?

Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com