Description
This Healthy Turkey Chili recipe is a flavorful, hearty dish packed with lean ground turkey, a variety of beans, and vibrant vegetables. Perfect for a nutritious dinner, it’s seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and oregano, simmered to meld the flavors beautifully. This crowd-pleaser is easy to prepare in one pot and can be customized with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 2-3 Tablespoons chili powder, plus more to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1-2 cups chicken broth (depending on desired thickness)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can white chili beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups corn (canned or frozen, optional)
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Avocados
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Turkey: Add the lean ground turkey to the pot. Break apart with a spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through, ensuring no pink remains.
- Season: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, Kosher salt, and dried oregano. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and release their flavors fully.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the chicken broth, petite diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, white chili beans, and corn if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows flavors to meld and the chili to thicken to your preferred consistency.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste and add additional chili powder or salt as needed to suit your flavor preferences.
- Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with desired toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado slices, or tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your preferred spice level.
- Use lean ground turkey to keep the dish healthy and lower in fat.
- Simmering the chili longer enhances the depth of flavor but avoid overcooking beans to prevent them breaking down too much.
- If you prefer a thicker chili, use less chicken broth; add more if you like it soupier.
- Leftover chili tastes great and often improves in flavor after a day or two.
