Chicken and Black Bean Soup

This soup is one of those plain, sturdy pots that started life as a way to stretch a few pantry staples into supper for a crowd. Black beans have been a staple across Latin America for centuries, cooked low and slow with whatever aromatics were around, and this version keeps that spirit. Chicken, beans, a can of fire-roasted tomatoes and a little corn make a bowl that feels like a real meal without much fuss.

A food fact worth knowing: canned black beans are already cooked, so the long simmer here is really about letting the flavours get to know each other rather than softening anything. Rinsing and draining them well keeps the broth from turning cloudy and starchy, which is why I never skip that step.

A small tip from my own kitchen: the chili powder and cumin bloom better if you stir them into the pot for a minute or two before the broth goes in. You will smell the difference right away. Also, the Adobo seasoning is split in two on purpose. A little on the chicken as it browns gives it a seasoned crust, and the rest in the broth rounds everything out, so you are building flavour in layers rather than dumping it all in at once.

This soup keeps beautifully. Cool it fully, then store it in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze it in portions for a month or two. The corn and beans hold their texture well, and the broth thickens a little as it sits, so you may want a splash of water or extra broth when you reheat it. It is also a good base for a quick lunch: spoon it over a handful of rice or stir in some chopped spinach at the end.

For serving, I like a squeeze of lime, a few slices of avocado, and some chopped coriander on top. A pan of Smoky Skillet Mashed Pinto Beans on the side makes the meal feel generous, and if you want something livelier for the table, Sizzling Skillet Shrimp Fajitas brings a bit of smoke and char alongside. If you are cooking for a crowd on a cold night, the Cozy Stovetop Chicken Chili with Beans is a close cousin that works just as well in the same pot.