Description
This Seriously, The Best Healthy Turkey Chili recipe is a delicious and nutritious meal made with extra lean ground turkey, kidney beans, and corn. Perfectly seasoned with a blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano, and a touch of cayenne, this chili is packed with protein and fiber, making it a wholesome choice for a comforting weeknight dinner. Easy to prepare on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, this chili offers a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 pound extra lean ground turkey or chicken (99%)
- 4 tablespoons chili powder (use mild chili powder such as McCormick, adjust if using another brand)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced or crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz) cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, rinsed and drained
Toppings (optional)
- Cheese
- Avocado
- Tortilla chips
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped red bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Cook the turkey: Add the extra lean ground turkey to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, ensuring it is thoroughly browned and cooked through.
- Add spices: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for about 20 seconds while stirring to release the flavors of the spices.
- Add liquids and beans: Pour in the diced or crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, rinsed kidney beans, and rinsed sweet corn. Stir everything together well.
- Simmer the chili: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Let the chili simmer gently for 30 to 45 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. This allows flavors to meld and the chili to thicken.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the chili and adjust salt and seasoning to your preference. Serve hot, garnished with your choice of toppings like cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, or sour cream. Each serving is approximately 1 1/2 cups.
Notes
- This chili is made with lean ground turkey which keeps it healthy but still packed with flavor.
- The recipe is flexible to be made on the stovetop as described or can be adapted to a slow cooker for convenience.
- Use mild chili powder to avoid overwhelming heat; adjust seasoning to taste.
- This chili is rich in protein and fiber thanks to the turkey and kidney beans.
- Perfect for meal prep as it reheats well and flavors deepen over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 336 kcal
- Sugar: 9.5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 3.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46.7 g
- Fiber: 17.4 g
- Protein: 31.8 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
