In skillet, cook chicken, bacon, or cooking oil and onion until chicken is no longer pink. Drain off fat. Transfer mixture to a 3-1/2- or 4-quart electric crockery cooker. Gently stir in remaining ingredients.
Cover and cook on low heat setting for 7 to 8 hours. (Or, cook on high heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours.) Makes 6 to 8 servings.
To reduce sodium, rinse and drain beans before adding them to the crockery cooker, omit salt and use half the bacon.