Southwest Chicken

Well, its been a little while since I posted a recipe.  Sorry.  We've been out of town twice, and between those visits sickness has been running rampant in our house.  But I'm back!  Unfortunately, we are all sick - again.  UGH!  Thank goodness for super easy recipes!  And this just happens to be one of them!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!  Seriously!  Its probably the easiest recipe I make, yet its SOOOO yummy!!!  And because of its antioxident properties and immune-boosting properties, its the PERFECT meal for my sick family.


So, without further ado, here's the cast of characters: We have corn, black beans, diced tomatoes (I used one can with chiles and one plain can), cooked shredded chicken, ground cumin, and 2 packets of Sazon Goya.

Have you ever used Sazon Goya?  If not, you're in for a life-altering moment!  OK, let me see if I can describe this accurately...

Sazon Goya is INCREDIBLE!!!!!  Its delicious.  It makes your house smell SCRUPTIOUS.  It makes all things better.  This is not a joke.  This is reality.  Sazon Goya is one of the seven wonders of the world - jammed into a tiny orange packet. I'm not exaggerating.  I just love Sazon Goya THAT much.

In case you're still wondering what on earth sazon is (Goya is just the name brand of this particular sazon) - its a seasoning that is found in many Spanish and Latin American recipes.  It typically contains many ingredients, such as cilantro, achiote, garlic, salt, etc.  It will give your Latin dishes that authentic flavor that they may have been lacking.  You can put it on practically any savory dish - meat, fish, chicken, veggies, soups, beans...  Sazon and a little cumin will turn a very plain dish like lentils and rice into a culinary symphony!  (We'll get to that recipe at a later date.)
The bottom line...  Find your keys.  Get in your car.  Drive to the grocery store. Right now.  Buy some Sazon Goya.  (Get a BIG box because once you start using it, you'll be putting it in everything.)

So, on to the recipe...
First off, boil or bake 2 chicken breasts.  Let them cool, and then shredd or chop.  (I like to shredd mine because it gives this dish sort of a "chicken chili" look.)  Throw the chicken into a large pot or dutch oven with a small amout of olive oil and  packet of Sazon.  (There are a few different flavors.  I used the one with Coriander and Annato.)  Stir chicken to heat through on medium heat.  (The Sazon will give the chicken this lovely red color.)

After 2 or 3 minutes, add 2 cans of diced tomatoes with juice.  (My hubby does NOT like spicy, so I throw in one can of plain diced tomatoes and one can of tomatoes and chilies.)

Next, drain and rinse 2 cans of black beans and throw those in.

Then drain and rinse 2 cans of whole kernel corn and throw those in.

Mix all of this together and then throw in another packet of Sazon and some cumin.  (Again, as I have said in the past, this is one of those meals where I don't measure the seasonings.  If you've never used cumin, I'd suggest you start out with about a tablespoon and then staste it to see if you'd like to add more.  I usually pile on the cumin.  Its another seasoning that will really give your dish an authentic flavor.  I love cumin.  I just wanna go on record as having said that.)

Now just stir it all together and heat through!  Voila!  You're done!  The beauty of this dish is that you can serve it many ways.  Dish it up in a bowl and serve it with a side of jalapeno cornbread as sort of a Southwest Chicken Chili, serve it over rice or pasta, or grab a bag or tortilla chips and eat it as a delicious Southwestern Dip.  Top with chopped onions, shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos or sour cream.  YUMMMM!!!!

Now, I make quite a lot of this because we'll eat it for several meals.  If you don't want to make so much, just cut everything in half.  :)

Southwest Chicken
1 Tbs olive oil
2 chicken breasts
2 cans or diced tomatoes (with or without chiles)
2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
2 cans whole kernel corn (rinsed and drained)
2 packets Sazon Goya with coriander and annato
ground cumin, to taste

1.) Bake or boil chicken breasts.  Let cool and shred.
2.) Cook chicken, olive oil and 1 packet of Sazon over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to combine.
3.) Add tomatoes with juice, drained beans, drained corn, one packet of Sazon, and cumin.  Mix well and heat through.
4.) Serving Suggestions: Serve with cornbread. Serve over rice or pasta.  Serve with tortilla chips.  Add chopped onions, jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese, and/or sour cream.  ENJOY!  :)

FYI, if you have not been a big user of cumin in the past, TRY IT!!!  Not only is it delicious, but it is incredibly good for you!  Some of the health benefits of cumin include: Antiviral properties, relief of stomach cramps, indigetsion and nausea, eases arthritis and rheumatism, fights anemia (because its high in iron), strengthens the immune system (due to its extraordinary antioxident properties), aids in prenatal development, eases childbirth, improves lactation, eases menstrual cramps, combats insomnia and memory loss, fights breast and colon cancer, boosts metabolism and facilitates the absorption of nutrients in the body.  Now I'd say that's a super food! :)