Description

This Easy Turkey Chili is a flavorful and hearty one-pot meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Made with lean ground turkey, kidney beans, and a blend of spices simmered in diced tomatoes, it’s a healthy twist on classic chili that’s packed with protein and bursts of smoky, spicy flavor. Customize it with your favorite toppings like shredded cheddar, avocado, or sour cream for a comforting dish everyone will love.

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 pound ground turkey
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
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

Suggested Toppings

Shredded cheddar cheese
Cilantro
Sour cream
Corn chips or strips
Scallions or red onions
Avocado

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Instructions

Sauté Onions: Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until they soften and become translucent.
Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning.
Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the turkey and onions evenly with the spices.
Add Beans and Tomatoes: Pour in the drained kidney beans, Rotel diced tomatoes with their juices, and the water or chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Simmer the Chili: Reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer the chili for 15 to 20 minutes with the lid slightly ajar. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to blend flavors together.
Toppings Preparation: While the chili is simmering, prepare your desired toppings such as shredding cheese, chopping cilantro, or slicing avocado.
Season and Serve: Taste the chili and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot topped with your favorite garnishes and enjoy your hearty turkey chili.

Notes

Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness; reduce or omit for a milder chili.
Original Rotel tomatoes contain some heat, so account for that when seasoning.
Most chili powders are mild, but check your brand’s level of spice before adding extra cayenne.
Using chicken broth instead of water adds more depth to the flavor.
Leftovers keep well and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.