Description
A hearty and flavorful chili recipe that repurposes leftover turkey into a delicious, comforting meal. This turkey chili combines fire-roasted tomatoes, beans, and a mix of spices for a satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 (4 fluid ounce) can diced green chilies with juices
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can red or white kidney beans, drained
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded or cut up
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 dashes Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Tex-Mex cheese blend
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onion is lightly browned and softened, releasing its natural sweetness.
- Prepare Ingredients: While the onions sauté, mince the garlic, chop the bell pepper, and shred or cut up the cooked turkey meat to have all ingredients ready for the pot.
- Add Ingredients and Simmer: Add the minced garlic, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, diced green chilies with juices, black beans, kidney beans, chopped green bell pepper, shredded turkey, chicken broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and Italian seasoning into the pot. Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Season and Serve: After simmering, taste the chili and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the chili hot, topping with your choice of garnishes such as sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a Tex-Mex cheese blend for added creaminess and flavor.
Notes
- Leftover cooked turkey can be from any part of the bird, shredded or chopped finely works best.
- For a spicier chili, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Can be made a day ahead; flavors improve when allowed to rest overnight.
- Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips for a complete meal.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure that the chicken broth and spices are certified gluten-free.
