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Easy Ground Turkey Chili

A bowl of homemade chili with ground turkey. Shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream and sliced jalapenos are garnished on top. Bowls of cheese and jalapenos sit in the corner of the photo.
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5 from 5 reviews

Comfort food that is quick, easy, and healthy - this Ground Turkey Chili is the perfect, hearty dish that you don't have to feel guilty about. A cozy dish of "comfort" that is full of flavor and rich in texture. Throw in a pan of homemade sweet cornbread and you'll be in "chili" heaven.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • One large Red Onion, chopped
  • One Large Sweet Onion, chopped
  • 3 large Jalapeno Pepper, sliced
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 6 large Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 pounds Lean Ground Turkey
  • 3 heaping tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 1/2 cups Chicken Stock
  • 2 Adobo Chipotle Peppers with 1 tablespoon of Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground Cumin
  • 2 tablespoons ground Coriander
  • 2 tablespoons Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
  • 3 - 14 ounce cans of Crushed Tomatoes
  • 2 cans Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar

Instructions

  • Heat a large heavy bottom pan (a Dutch oven works great) over medium-high heat.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and swirl to cover the bottom of the pan. Heat until shimmering.
  • Add 1 large chopped red onion, 1 large chopped sweet onion, and 3 large sliced jalapeños.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and cook the onions and peppers until tender, about 10-12 minutes while stirring often.
  • Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Add 6 large chopped garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Add 2 pounds of lean ground turkey to the onions and cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper.
  • Add 3 heaping tablespoons of tomato paste and 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock stirring well and scraping all the browned bits and pieces from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add 2 adobo chipotle peppers (from the can) with 1 tablespoon of sauce, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 2 tablespoons ground coriander, 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, and 1 tablespoon dried oregano.
  • Add 3 - 14 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes, 2 cans each of drained and rinsed dark red kidney and black beans along with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
  • Stir everything together and let simmer for at least one hour.
  • Garnish with sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and slices of fresh jalapeños. (optional)
  • ENJOY!!

Notes

  • Depending on your family's "heat" preference, you can add or not add sliced jalapeños. This recipe is probably a "medium" heat. I used three larger size jalapeños. I kept the ribs and the seeds when I sliced them, which added extra heat to the dish.
  • It's best to season with salt and pepper in layers while cooking. This way it counteracts the finished dish in being bland. I sprinkled in about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper with the onions and peppers. And more when I cooked the turkey meat.
  • I always choose stock over broth. It has tons more flavor and is a thicker, richer liquid.
  • How to Make in the Instant Pot
    • Set Instant Pot to "Saute" mode and sauté onions, jalapeños, and garlic. Brown ground turkey meat.
    • Add chicken stock, tomatoes, and paste, beans, and seasonings, along with the other ingredients.
    • Close the lid, set to Chili/Beans mode, and cook for 20 minutes.
    • Allow natural pressure release.
  • How to Make in the Crock Pot.
    • In a large pot, sauté 0nions and jalapeños in a skillet. Add the garlic. Brown the ground turkey. Add the tomato paste.
    • Transfer the meat mixture to the crockpot.
    • Add the chicken stock, beans, tomatoes, and seasonings, along with the other ingredients.
    • Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://lingeralittle.com/homemade-healthy-chili-recipe/