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Healthy Turkey Chili Game Day Bowl Recipe

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A hearty and flavorful turkey chili with black beans and kidney beans that comes together in under an hour. This crowd-pleasing recipe is packed with lean protein and fiber, making it a healthy game day favorite that even skeptics will love.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1½ pounds ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for topping, optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping, optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for topping, optional)
  • Diced avocado (for topping, optional)
  • Lime wedges (for serving, optional)
  • Tortilla chips (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep all ingredients: dice onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño; mince garlic; drain and rinse beans; measure out spices.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add bell pepper and jalapeño; cook for 3-4 minutes until peppers start to soften.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for exactly 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  5. Push vegetables to the sides of the pot and add ground turkey to the center. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then break into smaller pieces. Cook until no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes total.
  6. Add tomato paste and all spices (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, remaining salt, and pepper) to the pot. Stir and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until spices are toasted and tomato paste darkens.
  7. Pour in fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices; stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  8. Add chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  9. Add drained black beans and kidney beans; stir gently. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, cumin, or hot sauce as desired.
  11. Let chili rest off the heat for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, don’t skip toasting the spices and cooking the tomato paste. Chili improves with time—make a day ahead for deeper flavor. For a slow cooker version, brown turkey and cook vegetables on stovetop first, then transfer to slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. To thicken, simmer uncovered longer or mash some beans against the pot. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, healthy chili, game day chili, black bean chili, turkey recipe, healthy dinner, comfort food, gluten-free chili

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/healthy-turkey-chili-game-day-bowl-recipe/