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Flavorful Crockpot Turkey Chili Recipe Easy Slow-Simmered Dinner

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A rich, hearty, and comforting turkey chili slow-simmered in a crockpot, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and develops deep, smoky flavors with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey, lean (93% lean recommended)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika optional)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Dice one medium onion, one bell pepper, and mince three garlic cloves. Rinse and drain the canned beans thoroughly to avoid excess saltiness. (Prep time: 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound (450 g) ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink — about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Transfer the browned turkey and sautéed veggies to the slow cooker. Add kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, and tomato paste. Pour in chicken broth.
  5. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Add salt and black pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Ladle the chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro. Serve with cornbread or over rice if desired.

Notes

Brown the turkey and sauté veggies before adding to the crockpot for deeper flavor. Avoid frequent stirring during slow cooking to maintain heat. Adjust seasoning near the end. If chili is too thick, add broth or water to desired consistency. For extra smoky flavor, add chipotle in adobo sauce during seasoning.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, crockpot chili, slow cooker chili, easy dinner, healthy chili, lean protein, comfort food, slow simmer, weeknight meal