The Best Award Winning Turkey Chili Recipe For Cold Nights

Craving a hearty meal that brings warmth and comfort?

This award-winning turkey chili recipe delivers pure satisfaction straight to your plate.

Packed with robust flavors and lean protein, the dish promises a delightful culinary experience.

Spices dance together, creating a symphony of taste that will make your taste buds sing.

Nutritious ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a balanced and wholesome dinner option.

Home cooks can easily master this recipe with simple steps and accessible pantry staples.

Curl up with a bowl and let the rich, savory goodness transport you to flavor paradise.

Ingredients For Award Winning Turkey Chili

• Ground Turkey: A lean protein that adds substantial body and flavor to the chili.

• Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper, Jalapeno: A colorful mix that provides depth, sweetness, and a gentle heat to the chili.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor foundation to the dish.

• Diced Tomatoes: Offers a bright, tangy base with chunks of tomato for texture.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates a smooth, rich background for the chili.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances the overall liquid consistency and adds subtle savory notes.

• Kidney Beans, Black Beans: Provide hearty texture, plant-based protein, and classic chili authenticity.

• Chili Seasoning Mix: A pre-blended spice blend that delivers complex chili flavor.
• Cumin: Contributes an earthy, warm undertone typical in chili recipes.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces a smoky depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds a spicy kick and heat to the chili.
• Oregano: Provides an herbal, slightly peppery accent.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevents sticking.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavors.

Stepwise Instructions For Turkey Chili

Step 1: Sizzle and Soften Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion, garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeno.

Sauté the vegetables until they become tender and release their aromatic flavors, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2: Brown the Turkey

Add ground turkey to the pot and cook until it’s completely browned and no longer pink.

Season with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasoning.

Step 3: Awaken the Spices

• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Oregano

Cook the spices for 1-2 minutes to unlock their intense flavors and create a rich, complex base.

Step 4: Build the Liquid Foundation

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Chicken broth

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld together.

Step 5: Add Hearty Beans

• Kidney beans
• Black beans

Simmer the chili for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Fine-Tune the Flavor

Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. The goal is a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot chili into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced green onions.

Tips For Award Winning Turkey Chili Success

• Select lean ground turkey for a healthier protein option that keeps the chili low in fat.
• Adjust the cayenne and jalapeno levels to control the spice intensity for different heat tolerances.
• Enhance flavor by toasting spices briefly before adding liquid ingredients to deepen their aromatic profile.
• Add a splash of dark beer or red wine during simmering to create more complex, rich undertones.
• Prepare the chili a day ahead to allow flavors to meld and develop a more robust taste profile.

Flavor Variations For Award Winning Turkey Chili

• Smoky Southwest Spin: Replace ground turkey with ground beef and add corn kernels for extra texture. Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deeper smoky flavor.
• Vegetarian Power Chili: Substitute turkey with plant-based crumbles or diced portobello mushrooms. Include extra beans like pinto or white beans for protein boost.
• Green Chile Explosion: Use roasted green chiles instead of bell peppers. Swap kidney beans for pinto beans and add a splash of green enchilada sauce for vibrant color and zesty taste.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Mix in ground lamb instead of turkey. Add Mediterranean spices like za'atar and cinnamon. Incorporate chickpeas and top with crumbled feta cheese for a unique Mediterranean profile.

Serving Suggestions For Turkey Chili

• Cozy Game Night Feast: Serve this turkey chili in small bread bowls for a fun, interactive dining experience that lets guests customize their meal with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped cilantro.
• Southwestern Comfort Plate: Pair the chili with crispy cornbread wedges and a side of Mexican-style rice, creating a hearty meal that balances spicy and savory flavors for a satisfying dinner.
• Healthy Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers with a side of quinoa or brown rice, making it perfect for quick lunches during busy workweeks with maximum nutrition and minimal effort.

Proper Storage For Award Winning Turkey Chili

• Store leftover turkey chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the chili completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems too thick.
• Divide chili into individual serving sizes before storing. This makes reheating easier and helps maintain the best flavor and texture when you're ready to enjoy a quick meal.

FAQs

• Is this chili spicy?

The heat level can be adjusted by reducing or omitting cayenne pepper and jalapeno. For milder chili, use less spicy seasonings.

• Can I use different types of beans?

Absolutely! You can substitute kidney and black beans with pinto, great northern, or cannellini beans based on your preference.

• What makes ground turkey different from ground beef in chili?

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories compared to ground beef, making this chili a healthier option without compromising flavor.

• How can I make this chili more protein-rich?

Add extra protein by incorporating diced chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or topping with Greek yogurt for additional protein boost.

Award Winning Turkey Chili Benefits

• Celebrate Seasonal Comfort: Transform traditional shepherd's pie into a cozy autumn-inspired dish that brings warmth and rich flavors to your dinner table.
• Sneak in Nutrition Boost: Pack extra vegetables and pumpkin into a classic comfort meal, making it a sneaky way to increase vegetable intake for picky eaters.
• One-Dish Wonder: Create a complete meal in a single baking dish, reducing kitchen cleanup and saving precious cooking time for busy families.
• Versatile Meal Makeover: Easily swap meat types or add different vegetables to customize the recipe according to personal preferences or dietary needs.

Award Winning Turkey Chili Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty turkey chili blends savory spices with lean protein for a comforting meal packed with flavor. Warm bowls of this satisfying dish invite home cooks to explore a nutritious and delicious culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 packet (1 oz) chili seasoning mix
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, transforming chopped onions, garlic, vibrant bell peppers, and fiery jalapeno into a fragrant, softened base.
2. Introduce ground turkey, browning thoroughly while seasoning with salt and pepper for robust flavor development.
3. Sprinkle in aromatic spices including chili seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, and oregano, allowing their essence to bloom for 1-2 minutes.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle, bubbling simmer.
5. Incorporate kidney and black beans, letting the chili leisurely simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
6. Taste and calibrate seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
7. Ladle the steaming chili into bowls, embellishing with preferred toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for a personalized touch.

Notes

• Dial down the heat by removing jalapeno seeds or using milder peppers for sensitive palates.
• Enhance protein content by adding quinoa or extra lean ground turkey for fitness enthusiasts.
• Substitute beans with diced sweet potatoes for a lower-carb, paleo-friendly version that maintains hearty texture.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to create a fully gluten-free and vegetarian-adaptable recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 237 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg