Description
This Easy Turkey Chili is a flavorful and healthy one-pot meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Made with lean ground turkey, hearty kidney beans, and a rich blend of spices, this chili is both satisfying and nutritious. It’s easy to prepare, cooks in just 25 minutes, and can be customized with a variety of toppings like shredded cheddar, avocado, and sour cream for added taste and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
Spices & Sauces
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 1 (14 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies (with juices)
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Corn chips or strips
- Scallions or red onions
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Cook Turkey: Add 1 pound of ground turkey to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it browns evenly.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Stir in 2 heaping tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix well to coat the turkey and onions with the spices.
- Add Beans and Tomatoes: Pour in the drained can of red kidney beans, the two cans of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (including juices), and 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer Chili: Reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare Toppings: While the chili simmers, prepare your choice of toppings such as shredded cheddar, cilantro, sour cream, corn chips, scallions, red onions, or avocado slices to add after cooking.
- Season and Serve: Taste the chili and season with salt and black pepper as desired. Serve hot with your preferred toppings and enjoy a comforting bowl of homemade turkey chili.
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the chili. Start with less if you prefer mild.
- Ground turkey provides a lean protein option, but ground chicken or beef can be substituted if preferred.
- Simmering with the lid slightly open helps thicken the chili by allowing some liquid to evaporate.
- Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor in the chili base.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
