Photo Credit: Janelle Landis
I am a lover of lists. I love sitting down in the morning with my pad of paper, pen and coffee and writing down the tasks at hand for the day. Often, I will add something stupid that I know I’m going to do like "brush teeth" just to feel the thrill of accomplishment while I cross it off the list. It's fraudulent productivity. I realize this.
Currently, I reside in a season where the thrill of accomplishment is rarely felt. I have a newborn, toddler, & preschooler. So at the end of the day, I’m impressed if I've kept my children alive, and remember that fire hot, tree green. Despite this bleary eyed – Vomit No. 5 wearing – desperate for hair color woman I am right now, I really do cherish these exhausting days, and am grateful each time God allows me to wake up and breathe in a new morning. So how do I capture that thrill of crossing tasks off my list when I just can't get to the laundry mountains, and the growing paper piles? Why, just add more and more stupid things onto the list and live in deep deep productivity denial!
So, according to my to-do list, I am VERY productive:
What’s that you say? Open cans, pour in pot, dinner is done? Yes, my friends, a delicious and wholesome dinner can be all yours in 15 minutes. This is one of the best recipes I have received, and I'm excited to share it with you. My friend Ali, who is a wonderful cook and a sweet sweet soul, delivered this dish to our family after the birth of our second daughter a few years ago. I’m not a huge Chicken Chili fan, so initially I didn't think I’d be too impressed. Oh my. After a few delectable spoonfuls, I knew I had to have this recipe. It is one of my go to dishes when I’m bringing a meal to someone, and I’m always asked for the recipe. There are so many chicken chili recipes out there, but this one has a creamy sweetness to it (thanks to creamed corn), and doesn't taste like you’re eating a jar of salsa. The bonus? Practically every ingredient is a canned good, so you are on your way to dinner FAST! Try this recipe on a busy weeknight and proudly check dinner off your list!
Creamy Chili-Corn Soup with Chicken & Black Beans
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
4 large garlic cloves, minced (I use fresh jarred garlic as a short cut)
1-2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) creamed corn
1 can (14.5 ounces) petite diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 ounces) low sodium chicken broth
1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken)*
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro leaves (don't skip this step if possible, it really brightens the soup!)
Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado & tortilla chips
Instructions
Currently, I reside in a season where the thrill of accomplishment is rarely felt. I have a newborn, toddler, & preschooler. So at the end of the day, I’m impressed if I've kept my children alive, and remember that fire hot, tree green. Despite this bleary eyed – Vomit No. 5 wearing – desperate for hair color woman I am right now, I really do cherish these exhausting days, and am grateful each time God allows me to wake up and breathe in a new morning. So how do I capture that thrill of crossing tasks off my list when I just can't get to the laundry mountains, and the growing paper piles? Why, just add more and more stupid things onto the list and live in deep deep productivity denial!
So, according to my to-do list, I am VERY productive:
- Get out of bed - check
- Clip hangy thing from toenail – check
- Put coffee pod in Keurig, press ‘brew’ – check
- Put new hand soap out in bathroom even though old one is not done. Sick of ‘Waterfall Mist’ –check
- Rearrange band-aid boxes in closet - check
- Google the following: Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey Feud, Foods leading to extreme gas, You Tube clips of Designing Women, How many calories in a Cinnabon, Hip Hop Abs coupon code, Best hemorrhoid creams, lyrics to Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, Whatever happened to Mrs. Garrett from the Facts of Life? Note: Delete Search History - check
- Open cans, pour in pot. Dinner is done – check
What’s that you say? Open cans, pour in pot, dinner is done? Yes, my friends, a delicious and wholesome dinner can be all yours in 15 minutes. This is one of the best recipes I have received, and I'm excited to share it with you. My friend Ali, who is a wonderful cook and a sweet sweet soul, delivered this dish to our family after the birth of our second daughter a few years ago. I’m not a huge Chicken Chili fan, so initially I didn't think I’d be too impressed. Oh my. After a few delectable spoonfuls, I knew I had to have this recipe. It is one of my go to dishes when I’m bringing a meal to someone, and I’m always asked for the recipe. There are so many chicken chili recipes out there, but this one has a creamy sweetness to it (thanks to creamed corn), and doesn't taste like you’re eating a jar of salsa. The bonus? Practically every ingredient is a canned good, so you are on your way to dinner FAST! Try this recipe on a busy weeknight and proudly check dinner off your list!
Creamy Chili-Corn Soup with Chicken & Black Beans
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
4 large garlic cloves, minced (I use fresh jarred garlic as a short cut)
1-2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) creamed corn
1 can (14.5 ounces) petite diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 ounces) low sodium chicken broth
1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken)*
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro leaves (don't skip this step if possible, it really brightens the soup!)
Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado & tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, heat the oil and garlic over medium-high heat until the garlic begins to sizzle. Add the chili powder, cumin and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the creamed corn, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, black beans, chilies and chicken and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, to blend the flavors, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cilantro or parsley.
*Make Ahead Tip: I like to have cooked shredded chicken in my freezer ready for soups, casseroles, tacos, etc. It defrosts very quickly, and saves so much time on a weeknight. I use bone-in, skin on chicken breasts, drizzle on olive oil and season with S&P and bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Or I fill my crock pot up with bone-in or boneless chicken breasts, add salt & pepper, a cup of water and cook on low all day. Shred and store in freezer bags in 2 cup increments. Press air out, and stack bags on top of each other. You will be set, even for last minute dinners!
My favorite brand of corn muffins.
They are moist & honey sweet.
I like to add a dollop of sour cream
and a drizzle of honey to the batter.
On The Side: I serve this soup with all the toppings, cornbread muffins, and fresh cold fruit like crunchy grapes or pineapple tossed with sliced strawberries & kiwi.
Recipe Source: USA Weekend Columnist Pam Anderson
