Easy Spicy Turkey Chili

This quick and spicy chili made with ground turkey lies somewhere between our hearty, rib-sticking Chipotle Bean and Beef Chili and the lighter Basic Vegetarian Chili. First, sauté ground turkey with red bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Add chili powder, cayenne, ground cumin, and a bit of cinnamon to provide depth and heat, then stir in canned diced tomatoes and canned white beans and leave to simmer until the flavors mingle. In about an hour, you’ll be ready to ladle this satisfying weeknight meal into bowls and top with crumbled Baked Tortilla Chips and a dollop of sour cream.

This dish pairs wonderfully with Jalapeño Poppers.

• Yield: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Easy
• Total: About 1 hr 
• Active: 20 mins  

Ingredients (18)

For the chili:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
• 1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
• 2 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or stock
• 2 (14-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 bay leaf

For serving:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Tortilla chips

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Increase the heat to medium high, add the turkey, and cook, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until it’s no longer pink and is just cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes.
3. Add the chili powder, measured salt, oregano, cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon, stir to coat the turkey and vegetables, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the tomatoes and their juices as well as the broth or stock, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Add the beans and return to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low, add the bay leaf, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld, about 30 minutes.
5. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and season with additional salt as needed. Serve with the cheese, sour cream, and chips, for topping.