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Cozy 20-Minute Healthy Turkey Chili – Easy One Pot Dinner

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This quick and easy turkey chili comes together in just 20 minutes with simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s hearty, healthy, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7 or 99/1)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 can (15 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup reserved beans (from canned beans)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for topping)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Sliced avocado (optional)
  • Pickled jalapeños (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, mince the garlic, chop the bell peppers, and seed and mince the jalapeño if using. Open the cans, drain and rinse the beans, and measure out your spices. Reserve ½ cup of beans for blending.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and softened, about 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the pot. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains, about 4-5 minutes. Let it brown slightly.
  5. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the diced bell peppers and jalapeño. Cook for 1 minute. Then add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  7. In a small blender, combine the reserved ½ cup of beans with ¼ cup of the chicken broth. Blend until smooth. (Alternatively, mash with a fork.)
  8. Pour the remaining 1¾ cups of chicken broth into the pot, then add the drained black beans and kidney beans. Stir in the blended bean mixture. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Taste and adjust seasonings. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired.
  10. Ladle into bowls and serve with desired toppings: cilantro, lime wedges, Greek yogurt, cheese, avocado, or pickled jalapeños.

Notes

Don’t skip the bean-blending step—it creates a silky texture without cream or flour. Toast the spices in the fat for maximum flavor. Let the chili rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. For a vegetarian version, swap turkey for two more cans of beans and use vegetable broth. For a lower-carb version, skip the beans and double the bell peppers and zucchini.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, healthy chili, 20-minute chili, one pot dinner, easy chili recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chili, dairy-free chili

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-20-minute-healthy-turkey-chili-easy-one-pot-dinner/