Chicken and Black Bean Soup

I have been making this soup for over 14 years and it is still our family's favorite.  Chili Powder and cloves give it a wonderful flavor. 

In a large pan:

Heat 2 T. of olive oil and 2 T. of butter, then saute 1 large, chopped up onion.

After 10 minutes, add 2 cloves of minced garlic.

Saute several more minutes.

Add: 

4 cups of chopped up, uncooked chicken breast

4 cups or 2 cans of black beans (I make black beans from scratch)

3 cups chicken broth (Homemade Chicken Broth)

1/2 cup uncooked brown rice

2 T. fresh cilantro (if you have it)

1 T. dried basil (fresh if you want)

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cloves

Bring to a boil.  Turn to low. Cover and cook 1 hour.  After 1 hour,  slowly keep adding more of the seasonings (salt, chili powder, cloves) until it tastes yummy.  That is the secret to good soup.  Most of the time, I will add the juice of  half of a lemon to give it a little more flavor.  Add some cayenne pepper to it if you like it spicy!