Healthy Easy One-Pot Turkey Chili (Printable Version)

Lean turkey, beans, and veggies combine in a flavorful, easy-to-make one-pot dish that’s satisfying and nutritious.

# Components:

→ Meat

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
06 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
08 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Beans

09 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Spices and Seasoning

11 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Toppings

17 - Chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Greek yogurt or light sour cream
21 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Add the diced onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, chicken broth, black beans, and kidney beans. Stir to combine thoroughly.
05 - Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili is thickened and vegetables are tender.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
07 - Serve hot with desired toppings of your choice.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually tastes like comfort food, not like you're settling for something healthy.
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more time enjoying what you cooked.
  • The spice balance hits that sweet spot where you can taste the cumin and paprika without needing a glass of milk.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans—that starchy liquid can make your chili cloudy and thick in a way that doesn't feel right.
  • If you cook it on too high heat, the turkey can get tough and the spices can taste harsh instead of balanced.
03 -
  • If your chili is too thin after simmering, let the lid off for the last five minutes so some liquid evaporates and the texture becomes richer.
  • Taste the broth before you buy it—some brands are saltier than others, so you might need less added salt than the recipe suggests.
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