This Easy Turkey Chili is hearty, cozy, and packed with protein, making it a smart choice for busy weeknights. With lean ground turkey, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and warm spices, this one-pot meal delivers big flavor with simple ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich, comforting flavor with a lighter high-protein twist
• Easy to make on the stovetop or in the slow cooker
• Family-friendly and great for meal prep
• Made with simple pantry staples
• A filling dinner that feels wholesome and satisfying

Ingredients

• 2 lb ground turkey
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup onion, finely diced
• 1 cup bell pepper, finely diced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (29 oz) tomato sauce
• 3–4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 9 oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
• 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Chopped cilantro, for serving (optional)
• Shredded Cheddar, for serving (optional)
• Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Stovetop Method

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it up as it browns, until no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, sweet potatoes, and broth.
4. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the Easy Turkey Chili is thick and flavorful.
5. Remove from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Top with cilantro, shredded Cheddar, Greek yogurt, or sour cream if desired.

Slow Cooker Method

1. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet or in a slow cooker with a browning function. Season with salt and black pepper.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes.
3. Transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, sweet potatoes, and broth.
4. Stir well, then cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours.
5. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Tips & Tricks

• Use 3 tablespoons chili powder for a milder chili and 4 tablespoons for bolder flavor.
• Dice the sweet potatoes small so they cook evenly and soften faster.
• For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for the last 5–10 minutes.
• Add an extra splash of broth if you prefer a looser texture.
• Swap sweet potatoes for butternut squash or extra bell peppers.
• For extra heat, add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeño.
• Greek yogurt gives a creamy finish while keeping the dish higher in protein.

Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: 45–50 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Category: Dinner, Main Course
• Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, high-protein, gluten-free if ingredients used are certified gluten-free

Notes

• Chicken broth and vegetable broth both work well here.
• Cheddar, cilantro, and Greek yogurt add great flavor and texture, but the chili is delicious on its own too.
• Serve with rice, cornbread, baked potatoes, or tortilla chips.
• This recipe is ideal for batch cooking because the flavors deepen after resting.

Nutrition

Approximate per serving

• Calories: 360–420
• Protein: 32–38 g
• Carbs: 16–22 g
• Fat: 14–18 g

FAQ

Can I make Easy Turkey Chili ahead of time?
Yes. It tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop.

Is this turkey chili spicy?
It has a gentle kick from the diced tomatoes with green chilies and chili powder, but it is not overly spicy.

Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes. Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

What can I use instead of sweet potatoes?
Butternut squash, pumpkin, or regular potatoes work well. Beans can also be added for a different texture.

How do I make it creamier?
Top each bowl with Greek yogurt or sour cream just before serving.

Can I add beans?
Absolutely. Kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans fit nicely if you want a heartier pot.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. Add a splash of broth if needed.

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Easy Turkey Chili Recipe

Easy Turkey Chili is a hearty high-protein dinner made with lean ground turkey, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.It comes together easily on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.Perfect for meal prep, cozy nights, and family dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 2 lb ground turkey
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 cup onion finely diced
• 1 cup bell pepper finely diced
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can 29 oz tomato sauce
• 3 –4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 9 oz sweet potatoes peeled and cut into small pieces
• 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Chopped cilantro for serving (optional)
• Shredded Cheddar for serving (optional)
• Greek yogurt or sour cream for serving (optional)

Instructions

 

Stovetop Method

• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it up as it browns, until no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
• Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, sweet potatoes, and broth.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the Easy Turkey Chili is thick and flavorful.
• Remove from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Top with cilantro, shredded Cheddar, Greek yogurt, or sour cream if desired.

Slow Cooker Method

• Brown the ground turkey in a skillet or in a slow cooker with a browning function. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes.
• Transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, sweet potatoes, and broth.
• Stir well, then cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours.
• Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Notes

• Chicken broth and vegetable broth both work well here.
• Cheddar, cilantro, and Greek yogurt add great flavor and texture, but the chili is delicious on its own too.
• Serve with rice, cornbread, baked potatoes, or tortilla chips.
• This recipe is ideal for batch cooking because the flavors deepen after resting.

 

Conclusion

This Easy Turkey Chili is the kind of comforting meal that makes dinner feel simple and rewarding. It’s packed with protein, full of warm flavor, and flexible enough for both weeknights and meal prep, so you can feel good serving it again and again.