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The Best Turkey Chili Recipe

The Best Turkey Chili Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Turkey Chili delivers a flavor-packed punch of comfort and warmth in one satisfying bowl. Spicy, robust seasonings blend perfectly with lean ground turkey, creating a protein-rich meal that will become a family favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) ground turkey
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Canned and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 ounces) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Garnishes and Side Options:

  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Chopped cilantro or green onions
  • Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread

Instructions

  1. Warm a spacious cooking vessel over medium flame, drizzling olive oil to coat the bottom.
  2. Crumble ground turkey into the pot, sizzling and breaking apart until rich golden-brown coloration develops, approximately 6-7 minutes.
  3. Incorporate finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers, sautéing until vegetables soften and become translucent.
  4. Sprinkle aromatic spices including chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne for additional heat.
  5. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, prepared beans, chicken broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring thoroughly to integrate all components.
  6. Reduce temperature to low, allowing the mixture to gently bubble and meld flavors, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching.
  7. After 25-30 minutes of simmering, evaluate seasoning profile and adjust intensity according to preference.
  8. Transfer the robust chili into serving bowls, garnishing with shredded cheese, dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro leaves, or crispy tortilla chips.
  9. Complement the hearty dish with warm cornbread, fluffy rice, or crisp side salad for a complete meal experience.

Notes

  • Choose lean ground turkey for a healthier protein option that keeps the chili light yet satisfying.
  • Consider using fresh bell peppers instead of frozen for a brighter, crispier vegetable texture.
  • Control spice levels by gradually adding cayenne pepper, tasting as you go to achieve your perfect heat intensity.
  • Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly and maintain rich flavor depth.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg