Crockpot Taco Soup

This is the easiest recipe on the planet, it feeds an army, and it's so delicious!  It's my go-to anytime I have to cook for a crowd, and I always get recipe requests after it's served.  Add it to your rolodex (or pin-board) of recipes - I promise it won't disappoint!

Ingredients for Original Recipe:
2 cans black beans
2 cans Rotel (I usually do one "original" and one "mild")
2 cans corn
2 cans chicken broth
3-4 large chicken breasts (don't cook ahead of time...throw them in raw or still frozen)
1 packet Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix (find in the salad dressing aisle)
1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix
For toppers: Sour Cream, Shredded Mexican Cheese, and Tortilla Chips

Ingredients for Gluten Free & Dairy Free Recipe:
2 cans black beans
2 cans Rotel (I usually do one "original" and one "mild")
2 cans corn
2 cans chicken broth
3-4 large chicken breasts (don't cook ahead of time...throw them in raw or still frozen)
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp homemade taco seasoning mix - **recipe below**
For toppers: Corn Tortilla Chips, Guacamole, Salsa, Chopped Green Onions

**For homemade taco seasoning mix (much lower sodium, than pre-mixes): combine 4 Tbsp chili powder, 3 Tbsp + 1 tsp Paprika, 3 Tbsp Cumin, 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion Powder, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, and 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper in a large plastic bag, shake until well combined.  Store in dry cabinet.  You can use 2 Tbsp of mix per pound of meat as substitute for any recipe that calls for Taco Seasoning Packet.**

Ready for easy?  Here it goes...

Directions:
1. Toss everything in large Crockpot, stir to combine, then cook on "low" for 8 hours or "high" for 6 hours. (Note: I typically use frozen chicken breasts - just toss them in and they cook up perfectly in the Crockpot.)

2. After soup has finished cooking, remove chicken breasts and shred with fork.  Place shredded chicken back in soup and stir.

3. Serve warm with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and sour cream as topping options.  Chopped green onions, guacamole, and salsa make wonderful (healthy) toppings.  Soooo good!

One batch serves about 6 average people...or 4 really hungry "going-back-for-seconds" people.

(Don't forget to refrigerate/freeze leftovers!)

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our family does.  It will become a staple for those nights when you need dinner DONE without any evening prep-time.  Please let me know what you think of the recipe!