Simple Turkey Chili Recipe

Introduction

This simple turkey chili is a flavorful, hearty dish perfect for any weeknight dinner. Made with lean ground turkey and a blend of spices, it’s a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey breast
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth (or water with 1 chicken bouillon)
• 14 oz can pureed tomatoes
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 14 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sweet corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
• 3 tablespoons corn starch
• 1/4 cup cold water
• Greek yogurt, chopped green onions or chives, and red pepper flakes for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large pot over high heat and add the olive oil and ground turkey. Spread the meat evenly on the bottom of the pot and let it brown without stirring to develop flavor. Once browned on the bottom, stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up the lumps, and cook until all juices evaporate.
2. Step 2: Add the sweet paprika, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and black pepper, stirring for 1 minute. Then add the chopped onion and cook until soft and glossy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for another minute.
3. Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth, pureed tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, olives, kidney beans, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for an additional 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Taste halfway through and adjust salt and seasonings if needed.
4. Step 4: Add the sweet corn and chopped parsley, cooking for 2-3 more minutes. To thicken the chili, mix corn starch with cold water and add half of this mixture to the pot. Stir and bring to a boil. If needed, repeat with the remaining corn starch mixture for desired thickness.
5. Step 5: Serve the chili with your choice of sides and top with Greek yogurt, chopped green onions or chives, and red pepper flakes.

Tips & Variations

• Double the sweet corn if you love a sweeter, more textured chili.
• Use fresh spices for the best flavor, especially cumin and paprika.
• For a spicier chili, add cayenne pepper or more smoked paprika.
• Substitute black beans for kidney beans if preferred.
• Leftover chili tastes great served over rice or with crusty bread.

Storage

Store leftover turkey chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also freeze the chili for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?

Yes, ground beef can be used as a substitute, but turkey provides a leaner option with less fat.

How do I make this chili thicker?

Mix corn starch with cold water and add it gradually to the chili while boiling, as described in the recipe. You can also simmer uncovered longer to reduce the liquid.

Simple Turkey Chili Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 84 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Simple Turkey Chili made with lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, beans, and a blend of aromatic spices, simmered to perfection for a thick and comforting meal. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be customized with your favorite toppings.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Oils

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey breast

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup sweet corn (fresh or frozen; double if you love sweet corn)
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Canned and Jar Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth (or water with 1 chicken bouillon cube)
• 14 oz can pureed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 14 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Spices and Seasonings

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin (increase to 1 teaspoon if not fresh)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper

Thickening Agent

• 3 tablespoons corn starch
• 1/4 cup cold water

Optional Toppings

• Greek yogurt
• Chopped green onions or chives
• Red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Brown the Turkey: Heat a large pot over high heat and add the olive oil followed by the ground turkey. Spread the meat evenly across the bottom and let it brown well without stirring to develop flavor. Once the bottom is nicely browned, stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up any lumps and cook until all the juices evaporate.
2. Cook Aromatics with Spices: Add the chili powders (sweet paprika and smoked paprika) and cumin, stirring for 1 minute to release flavors. Add the chopped onion and stir until softened and glossy, about 3-4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. Add Liquids and Vegetables: Pour in the chicken broth, pureed tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, sliced Kalamata olives, rinsed kidney beans, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes until the chili thickens. Taste halfway through and adjust the seasoning if needed.
4. Finish with Corn and Parsley: Stir in the sweet corn and fresh parsley, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. For a thicker sauce, mix corn starch with cold water and slowly add half of the mixture to the pot, stirring and bringing it briefly to a boil. If the chili isn’t thick enough, repeat with the remaining corn starch mixture.
5. Serve and Garnish: Serve the turkey chili hot with your choice of sides. Top with Greek yogurt, chopped green onions or chives, and red pepper flakes for optional extra flavor.

Notes

• Use fresh ground turkey breast for the best lean flavor and texture.
• Chop onions and garlic finely to ensure they cook evenly and release their aroma.
• Adjust the cumin proportion based on freshness for optimal taste.
• The chili thickens after simmering uncovered; if you prefer a thinner chili, reduce simmering time or skip the corn starch thickener.
• Doubling the sweet corn enhances sweetness if preferred.
• Serve with optional toppings like Greek yogurt for creaminess and spice with red pepper flakes.

Keywords: turkey chili, ground turkey recipe, healthy chili, stovetop chili, lean turkey chili