Description
Hearty “easy turkey chili” delivers comforting southwestern flavors perfect for chilly nights. Lean ground turkey and robust spices create a nourishing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey
- 16 ounces (454 grams) can red kidney beans, drained
- 16 ounces (454 grams) navy beans, drained
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), chopped
- 2 jalapenos, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 8 ounces (227 grams) tomato sauce
- 28 ounces (794 grams) canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons chipotle chili powder
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- Juice of 1 large lime
Instructions
- Warm a large pot with canola oil over medium temperature, creating a sizzling base for the chili.
- Introduce diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty jalapenos into the pot, gently sautéing until they become tender and translucent.
- Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the vegetable medley and release its fragrant notes.
- Crumble ground turkey into the pot, continuously breaking apart the meat and cooking until it transforms into a rich, golden brown consistency.
- Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth, creating a robust liquid foundation for the chili.
- Introduce kidney beans and navy beans, along with a harmonious blend of bay leaves, chipotle chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, and kosher salt to elevate the flavor profile.
- Encourage the mixture to reach a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and allow the chili to simmer, developing deep flavors through occasional stirring for 30-45 minutes.
- Extract the bay leaves, then fold in fresh cilantro and a bright squeeze of lime juice to add a final layer of complexity.
- Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and embellish with your preferred garnishes for a personalized culinary experience.
Notes
- Swap ground turkey for ground chicken or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary preferences and create versatile meal options.
- Reduce spiciness by removing jalapeno seeds or using mild green chiles for a kid-friendly version that maintains rich flavor complexity.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra beans like black beans or lentils, which also boost fiber and create a more filling meal without changing core recipe structure.
- Make this chili freezer-friendly by storing in airtight containers for up to three months, allowing convenient meal prep and quick weeknight dinners with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg