This easy Smoky Chipotle Turkey Chili is packed with tons of smoky good flavor from vegetables, beans, fire-roasted tomatoes and those spicy chipotle in adobo. With the option to make this chili recipe with ground turkey or leftover turkey, it serves as a healthy, hearty and comforting meal for winter evenings and Game Day, too!
The holidays are finally here! Which means that winter is upon us, too! Even though we live in Southern California, believe it or not, it actually gets cold during those long winter months. And there is nothing I want more than a steaming hot bowl of chili with all the toppings!!
Well, today fraands, we are taking it a step further with Smoky Chipotle Turkey Chili. Besides all the healthy vegetables and beans, and all those smoky ingredients like fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle in adobo and smoked paprika, I think the best part about this easy chili recipe is the fact that you can use either ground turkey or leftover turkey from the holidays. It’s such a fun and interesting way to use up all that turkey meat rather than the more traditional leftover turkey sandwich – although, who am I kidding, those are just as delicious, too!
And with the Big Game coming up, all your friends and family will go crazy for this homemade turkey chili with chipotle! Make a toppings bar, a fresh batch of cornbread and enjoy the superbowl! Just note – one bowl is never enough, so you may want to think about doubling the recipe!
Chipotle Turkey Chili Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Poblano Pepper
- Ground Turkey or Leftover Turkey
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- Black, Kidney or Chili Beans
- Chipotle in Adobo
- Jalapeno
- Garlic
- Spices including Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Cinnamon
- Kosher Salt
- Chicken Broth
- Cornmeal
- Toppings: Avocado, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Cilantro, etc.
How To Make Chipotle Turkey Chili
- In a large pot over medium, heat the olive oil for 1-2 minutes. Add onions and peppers and cook until translucent, 8-10 minutes. If using ground turkey, add in now and brown for 4-5 minutes.
- Add fire-roasted tomatoes and juices, drained beans, chipotle peppers, jalapeno, garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, kosher salt and broth. Stir constantly and cook the turkey chili with chipotle over medium heat until simmering.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for an additional 30 minutes. If you desire a thicker chili, in a small bowl whisk together cornmeal and ½ cup of liquid from the chili. Stir this cornmeal mixture back into the chili and cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes. If you have time, 60 minutes on very low heat will develop the chilis flavor even more! Serve the turkey chili with toppings of choice!
Ground Turkey or Leftover Turkey
Like I said before, the best part about this chipotle turkey chili recipe is that you can use either ground turkey and cook it that day, or leftover turkey from the holidays! Use either white or dark ground turkey, depending on your preference.
If you decide to go the leftover turkey route, simply skip the step when you cook the turkey and add it at the end with the broth. You will need 1 pound (about 2 cups) shredded or cubed turkey. I like to use a mix of white and dark meat for the best of both worlds!
The Best Secret Ingredient for Turkey Chili
Cornmeal! This was a little trick I learned when testing the chipotle turkey chili recipe. If you’re looking for a thicker chili, mix 1/2 cup cornmeal with some of the chili liquid and cook low and slow. Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you!
Tips For The Best Chipotle Turkey Chili Recipe
- Just like any good soup, stew, or stoup (thank you Rachael Ray!), the longer you cook the chipotle turkey chili, the more flavorful it will become! If you have the time, leave it over simmering heat for at least an hour. The flavor difference is incredible!
- Looking to up the vegetables? Add 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed, when you add the onions and peppers.
- Want to serve this on Game Day? Make the easy chipotle turkey chili in a slow cooker. Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 1-2 hours. Serve it warm, right from the Crockpot, with an endless amount of toppings!
More Chili Recipes You’ll Love:
If you make this Chipotle Turkey Chili recipe, I’d love to know how it goes! Please share with all fraaands in the comments below! For more easy recipes and ideas, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, too! ♥
Chipotle Turkey Chili
ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 poblano pepper diced
- 1 lb ground turkey or 2 cups leftover turkey white, dark or mix
- 2 16 oz cans fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can black, kidney or chili beans
- 1 chipotle pepper diced + 1 Tablespoon canned chipotle liquid
- 1 jalapeno minced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt or more to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup cornmeal
- Toppings: avocado cheese, sour cream, etc.
instructions
- In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil on medium heat until oil will spread across the pan (1-2 mins). Add in onions, bell pepper and poblano pepper and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until translucent. If using ground turkey, add in now and brown for 4-5 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
- Add in fire roasted tomatoes and all juices from can to pot. Drain beans from their can liquids and add into pot. Stir mixture together well and add in chipotle pepper and liquid, jalapeno, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, kosher salt, and broth.
- Stir constantly and heat chili on medium heat until simmering. Lower heat down to low and cook for an additional 30 minutes. If you desire a thicker chili, in a small bowl whisk together cornmeal and ½ cup of liquid from chili. Stir this cornmeal mixture back into the chili and cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes. If you have time, 60 minutes on very low heat will develop the chilis flavor more. Serve with a variety of toppings like avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
notes
Don’t forget to pin this Chipotle Turkey Chili recipe for later!
join elizabeth on the rocks
Join our newsletter to chat about all things food, cocktails, home decor, and more!