Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup (adapted from Ree Drummond)

3 boneless, skinless whole chicken breasts
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 28-ounce can whole or diced tomatoes, with juice
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (more if you like the soup more liquid)
One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, such as Ro*tel
4 ounces tomato paste
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo (you may add 2 to 3 if you like)
1/2 lime, juiced

Fixings: avocado, sour cream, grated cheese, crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro leaves

Put the chicken in a slow cooker. Sprinkle on the chili powder, cumin and some salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, black beans, tomatoes with chiles, tomato paste, onion, chipotle pepper and red and yellow peppers. Stir, place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

Stir in the lime juice. Remove the chicken to a plate and use 2 forks to break it into chunks (or shred it finely). Return the chicken to the pot, taste and add more seasoning if necessary.

Serve piping hot in a bowl with avocado, sour cream, grated cheese, crushed tortilla chips and cilantro leaves on top!

Three Bean Chili (Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens)

1-15 oz. can of red kidney beans
1-15 oz. can of pinto beans
1-15 oz. can of black beans
1-14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup of chicken stock, vegetable stock, or beer
3 tbsp. of chocolate flavored syrup
1 tbsp. of chili powder
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 lb. of ground turkey or lean hamburger meat (optional)

Drain and rinse the beans.

In a slow cooker, combine all of the ingredients, minus the meat. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6-8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-4 hours. Cook the meat and add with one hour remaining. Add extra stock or beer if needed. Ladle into soup bowls. Eat as is, or top with your family’s favorite chili toppings.