Description
This hearty Turkey Sweet Potato Chili is a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for chilly evenings. Combining lean cooked turkey, tender sweet potatoes, beans, and a blend of warming spices, it offers a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Simmered slowly in a pot, this chili is easy to prepare and serves as a satisfying meal for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Goods
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional, to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper, cooking for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Sauté garlic: Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add sweet potatoes and spices: Add diced sweet potatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices.
- Add liquids and beans: Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, black beans, kidney beans, and chicken or turkey broth. Stir to combine everything well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer covered: Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and flavors meld.
- Incorporate turkey: Stir in the cooked turkey. Let the chili simmer uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and any excess liquid to reduce slightly.
- Adjust seasonings: Taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, spices, or cayenne pepper to suit your preference.
- Serve: Serve the chili hot, optionally topped with fresh cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, or diced avocado for extra freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use lean cooked turkey, either shredded or diced, for best texture and flavor.
- Sweet potatoes should be diced uniformly to cook evenly within the simmering time.
- Low-sodium broth helps control the salt content; adjust salt to taste after cooking.
- Optional toppings like cilantro and avocado add freshness and creaminess to the chili.
- You can adjust the heat level by varying the amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- This chili can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day after the flavors have fully developed.
