Southwest Black Bean Chicken in the Crock Pot

Ok….allrighty then. Who has piles and piles of chocolate candy bars lurking around every corner……just waiting, hoping to have the chance to add themselves to your hips. I know I do and after all the sampling I did yesterday (everyone should get to sample some great treats on Halloween, who are we kidding here) I need one of my great healthy weight loss wonders. This recipe is fantastic. It’s EASY, TASTY, HEALTHY, and uses up my FOOD STORAGE. I take that as a win, win, win, win. It’s flavorful and very hearty. My kids really like it, they eat it over tortilla chips with some cheddar cheese on top. I opt for it rolled in a whole wheat tortilla. I’ve found the combination of whole wheat and healthy protein to be super effective for weight loss. Legumes, beans, lentils….are seriously a super duper way to lose and control your weight. I’ve been trying to incorporate them into our diets as much as I deliciously can. (I don’t enjoy eating food that’s not delicious.) I live in the West where “Western Family” is a great generic brand. The seasoning packet I use for this recipe is wonderful, however I have also tried it with McCormick’s enchilada, or taco seasoning as well.

Southwest Black Bean Chicken in the Crock Pot
Time: 10 min. prep + 4 hours cooking
Yield: 8 servings
Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!
PRINT RECIPE

4 chicken breasts (you may even start with frozen)

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1/2 of a 6 oz can tomato paste

2 15 oz cans corn

2 15 oz cans black beans

2 15 oz cans kidney beans

2 14.5 oz cans Mexican Stewed Tomatoes

1 Southwest marinade packet (pictured above, enchilada or taco will work as well)

Cheddar cheese and sour cream

Tortilla Chips or Whole wheat tortillas

1. Mix all ingredients except the chicken,cheese, and sour cream and tortillas in the bottom of a large crock pot. If you want it a bit thinner to eat as a soup, then add the liquid from two of the cans. Otherwise drain the liquid from the cans.
2. Place the chicken into the crock pot and cover it up with the sauce.

3. Cook on high for 4 hours. After it has cooked for 3 hours, take the chicken out, shred it and put it back in the crock pot for the remaining hour.