Southwest Chicken Chili

Where I live in North Carolina, the next several days are going to be cold. It's perfect weather for a big pot of chili. And I make mine a little differently. Mine has chicken, black beans, corn and roasted tomatoes. I almost won a chili cookoff with it. But my co-worker, the culinary genius we'll call "Mr. H," took home first prize with his delicious recipe. Oh well. (honestly, at a chili cookoff, everyone is a winner because everyone gets to taste awesome chili!!) I think you'll find this recipe is a winner in your home.

Ingredients:
2-3 chicken breasts (depending on how big they are)
a 15 oz. can of tomato soup
a 15 oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes
a 15 oz. can of black beans (drain most of liquid, but not all)
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon oregano
2-3 tablespoons chili powder
1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for cooking chicken)

Directions:
Heat a large sauce pot over medium heat. While it's heating up, season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, and a little chili powder. Brown chicken until it's mostly done, then remove from pot and set aside. (It will finish cooking when you put it back in the pot later) If needed, circle the pot again with more olive oil, turn heat down to medium-low, and add garlic, onion, red bell pepper, corn, oregano and red pepper flakes. Season veggies with salt and pepper and cook until soft. Then add tomato soup, tomatoes, black beans and the rest of the chili powder. (Use your taste buds to determine if you need more chili powder. I usually add more. You want it to taste more like chili than tomato soup.) Season with more salt and pepper if needed. While that simmers, chop chicken into bite-size pieces. Add that to the pot, once you're happy with the taste of the chili. Let simmer on low for a few more minutes then serve.
Try this: Top each bowl of chili with cheddar cheese and sour cream. Serve with a slice of crusty bread on the side.