Description
Soul-warming turkey chili delivers hearty comfort perfect for cold nights. Protein-packed ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a robust meal home cooks will savor from first delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) ground turkey
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp oregano
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped cilantro or green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, then crumble ground turkey, cooking until golden-brown and thoroughly separated.
- Vegetable Integration: Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers, sautéing until vegetables become soft and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne, stirring to distribute spices evenly and develop deep flavor complexity.
- Liquid Harmony: Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, chicken broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, blending ingredients into a rich, cohesive mixture.
- Slow Simmer: Reduce heat to low, allowing chili to gently bubble and meld flavors, stirring periodically to prevent bottom scorching and ensure even cooking.
- Final Touches: After 25-30 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning, then ladle into serving bowls and garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla chips.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany chili with warm cornbread, fluffy rice, or crisp side salad to complete this hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Brown Meat Thoroughly: Ensure ground turkey is completely golden-brown and crumbly to develop rich, deep flavor profiles and eliminate potential bacterial risks.
- Spice Balancing Act: Adjust spice quantities gradually, tasting between additions to prevent overwhelming heat while maintaining complex, harmonious seasoning layers.
- Slow Simmer Technique: Allow chili to develop flavors by cooking on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and enhance ingredient integration.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap ingredients for various dietary needs – use plant-based ground turkey alternatives, low-sodium broth, or gluten-free options without compromising taste integrity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg