Black-Eyed Pea Soup

This soup is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO delicious! ...and I'm not a big soup lover!

8 bacon strips, cooked & crumbled
1 med green pepper, chopped
1 sm onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (15 1/2 oz.) black eyed peas, undrained
2 cans (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 1/4 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp sugar
2 chicken breasts
shredded colby-montery jack cheese
minced fresh cilantro

In a large saucepan, cook bacon. Drain & reserve 2 TBSB drippings. In drippings, saute chicken, green pepper, onion & garlic until tender. Add peas, tomatoes, water & seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover & simmer for 15-20 min. Serve in bowls and sprinkle each serving with cheese, cilantro & bacon.