Here’s a simple and flavorful recipe for One-Pot Turkey Chili—a hearty, healthy, and easy-to-make dish perfect for any night of the week!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional, but adds a nice texture)
For garnish (optional):
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped
- Tortilla chips or cornbread on the side
Instructions:
1. Cook the Ground Turkey:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Once cooked through, remove any excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the Veggies:
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot with the turkey. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the Seasonings:
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute to allow the spices to bloom and coat the vegetables and turkey.
4. Combine the Rest of the Ingredients:
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, beans, chicken broth, and green chilies (if using). Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
5. Simmer the Chili:
- Once it’s simmering, lower the heat and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The flavors will meld together and the chili will thicken as it cooks. If you prefer a thicker chili, let it cook a bit longer. If it gets too thick, you can add a little more broth to reach your desired consistency.
6. Add the Corn:
- In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen corn, allowing it to heat through.
7. Serve:
- Once the chili is ready, serve it hot with your choice of garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or green onions. You can also pair it with tortilla chips or a side of cornbread.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can sauté the onions, bell peppers, and garlic in the same pot you used for the turkey to incorporate any leftover flavors.
- Feel free to customize the chili by adding additional veggies (like zucchini or carrots) or swapping the beans for others (such as pinto or garbanzo beans).
- This chili freezes well, so make a double batch and save some for later!
Enjoy your One-Pot Turkey Chili—a perfect balance of hearty, healthy, and delicious! 🍲🍗🌶️
