Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken & Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, with juices
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tbsp Salted Perfection Abilene Select Blend
• 1 large avocado, diced (for garnish)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Coat the bottom of your slow cooker insert with the olive oil. Layer the diced yellow onion and red bell pepper evenly across the bottom. The heating element in most slow cookers is concentrated at the base, so placing your aromatics there ensures they soften properly and release their volatile flavor compounds.
2. Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken thighs over the vegetables. We specifically choose thighs for this cooking method because they contain dense networks of connective tissue. In a slow cooker's low, sustained heat, that collagen breaks down into gelatin, giving the soup a luxurious mouthfeel without relying on heavy cream.
3. Add the rinsed black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, and the chicken broth to the pot.
4. Measure in the Salted Perfection Abilene Select Blend. The crystallized lime in this blend will provide a highly pronounced acidic bite to balance the rich chicken fat, while the garlic and pepper build our savory foundation. Stir gently to hydrate the spices.
5. Secure the lid and cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours. Cooking at this lower temperature prevents the muscle fibers from seizing and squeezing out their internal moisture, ensuring the chicken remains incredibly tender.
6. Once the cooking time is up, carefully transfer the chicken thighs to a cutting board. Shred the meat by pulling apart the muscle fibers with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to integrate.
7. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with diced avocado and fresh cilantro leaves to add a layer of fresh, dairy-free richness that complements the sharp, acidic broth. DUNZO!