Best ever healthy turkey chili made with lean ground turkey, zucchini, yellow squash, red kidney beans, and corn. This super nutritious and easy recipe is perfectly spiced and packed with protein. If you are looking for a simple Fall or winter healthy meal, this is for you!
The best ever healthy lean turkey chili
There is just something about the cold weather and chili that go together. I honestly just crave a warm, cozy bowl of soup or chili on chilly Fall and Winter days. It is the perfect excuse to curl up on the couch with a blanket, a book, and a bowl of this hearty turkey chili.
I have been eating chili for as long as I can remember. It was my favorite Fall dinner as a kid. Store-bought and restaurant chili is great and all, don’t get me wrong, but nothing, I repeat, nothing beats a warm bowl of homemade chili.
You can probably tell by now that I have had my fair share of chilis. But let me just tell you…. this right here is the BEST turkey chili I have ever eaten. It is light, yet warms the soul; it’s hearty and rich, yet healthy. This homemade nutritious turkey chili is simply the perfect healthy dinner or lunch!
Personally, I love to make a huge batch on a Sunday, enjoy a delicious bowl for dinner, and then save the rest for meal prep! I’m telling you, whether you are making this for a healthy family dinner or meal prepping like me, you have got to try this easy recipe for the best ever healthy turkey chili!
Ingredients used for best ever healthy turkey chili
You’ll only need a few, simple ingredients to get this easy recipe going! I am all about simplicity and ease, so don’t worry, you won’t need to go to the supermarket and buy a lot of expensive ingredients and spices. You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. For this easy dinner recipe, you’ll need some fresh vegetables, lean ground turkey, kidney beans, and, of course, chili powder!
Olive or Avocado oil: We’ll use some avocado or olive oil to sauté the red onion and green bell pepper.
Red onion: 1 small red onion diced up however big you want! I love mine to be on the thicker side.
Green bell pepper: Cut up and one large green bell pepper to add some crunch to your chili!
Garlic: I mean garlic is a must! I love a little extra honestly… if you are using pre-minced garlic I recommend 2 Tablespoons, if not, 3 cloves.
Ground turkey: For the protein, we’ll be using 1 lb. of lean ground turkey. You can also use chicken or ground beef.
Kidney beans: Beans are a chili must! Be sure to drain and rinse before adding them to your pot.
Diced or crushed tomatoes: Key for the flavor and consistency of the chili!
Chicken broth or chicken bone broth: A must! This is needed to thicken the chili up and also add lots of yummy flavors!
Zucchini: The best way to add some nutritious vegetables to this hearty chili.
Yellow squash: One medium yellow squash cut up to add some more veggie power to this dish!
Fresh corn: The perfect sweet note to this rich and hearty chili!
Spices: We’ll be using chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. You can add some red chili flakes too!
Toppings options: fresh cheddar cheese, diced avocado, jalapeños, sour cream or greek yogurt, fresh oregano or fresh parsley, and maybe even some corn chips!
Easy ingredient substitutions for healthy turkey chili
You guys probably know by now that I love simple and easy recipes! If you don’t love every ingredient in this one, I am here to help you out with a list of the very best substitutions!
Don’t like beans? Don’t worry! Just leave them out.
Don’t have green bell pepper? No worries! You can use any type of bell pepper! A yellow or red bell pepper will work perfectly.
Don’t have a red onion? Just use a yellow one!
Don’t have fresh corn? No worries! You can used canned corn. Simply use 1 cup of drained and rinsed sweet corn.
Don’t have or like ground turkey? Simply use ground chicken or ground beef!
Looking for other tasty lunch and dinner recipes? Check these out!
What you’ll need to make healthy chili
For this easy recipe, you’ll only need a couple of kitchen tools making the clean up super easy! Plus you only need a big pot to cook this delicious healthy chili, how easy is that?!
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Large sauce pot or Dutch Oven
- Stirring utensil
- 1 teaspoon
- 1 Tablespoon
How to make the best ever healthy turkey chili
My favorite thing about this simple and easy healthy chili recipe (besides the taste of course) is how easy it is to make! You do not need an instant pot or any fancy kitchen equipment. Plus, this recipe takes less than 60 minutes from start to finish!
First, grab a large pot or Dutch oven cook this delicious, hearty healthy turkey chili on the stove top. I used a 6 qt. dutch oven!
To start, add olive or avocado oil to you pot, heat it to medium and add in your diced red onion and cut up green bell pepper. Statue them for a few minutes until soft!
Now it is time to add in your ground turkey! Add to the pot and break it up with a spoon. Cook until it is not pink anymore.
Meanwhile, open up all your cans and prepare the other vegetables! Cut the zucchini and yellow squash in half length-wise and then again into crescent shapes. And carefully cut the corn off the cob or prepare your canned sweet corn!
Once the turkey is ready, add in all the spices, salt and pepper. Stir until fully combined.
Now, add your crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, drained and rinsed red kidney beans, corn, diced zucchini, and yellow squash.
Give the pot a good stir, bring to a boil, and then reduce the hear to low and let simmer for 45-50 minutes!
Add some cheese, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, chips, or whatever else you might want on top and enjoy!
How to store extra healthy turkey chili
Make extra? No worries, this is actually the best meal prep recipe ever! I love to save my extras in a sealed airtight container in the fridge. You can save any extras up to 7 days!
This best ever healthy turkey chili also freezes really well; Just portion it out in separate freezer-safe containers so when have a busy day and don’t have time to cook, you can just reheat for lunch or dinner!
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Best Ever Healthy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tsp avocado or olive oil
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 Tbsp pre-minced garlic)
- 1 pound extra lean ground turkey or chicken
- 2 ½ Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 tsp red chili flakes, optional
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5-ounce can chicken broth or bone broth
- 1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 medium yellow squash, chopped
- 1 - 2 ears raw corn, rinsed and kernels cut off the cob
- Topping: cheese, jalapeños, avocado, sour cream, fresh oregano
Instructions
- Place olive or avocado oil in a large pot or Dutch oven and place on stovetop on medium-high heat. Add in chopped onion, cut up bell pepper, and minced garlic. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add in lean ground turkey and break up the meat with a spatula. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, halve zucchini and yellow squash length-wise and then again into crescent shapes. And carefully cut the corn off the cob or wash and rinse your canned sweet corn.
- Add in chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional red chili flakes. Stir to combine.
- Now, add in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, rinsed red kidney beans, diced zucchini, diced yellow squash, and corn. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until chili thickens. Taste and adjust seasonings and salt as necessary.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Payton D says
Made this on Monday, and I am obsessed!! It’s so good and perfect for Fall! I didn’t add the beans.
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Payton, I am so happy to hear this! I love love love this chili recipe!
Steph gilet says
So good! Made due with some of the ingredients that I had left over from the past week… such a yummy Sunday meal!! Easy to save and eat throughout the week too (:
Tati Chermayeff says
Steph, SO HAPPY to hear and totally agree with you!
Maggie Berry says
Delicious bowl of goodness! Serve with rice or sweet potatoes.
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Maggie, I am so glad to hear you loved this recipe. I love the addition of sweet potatoes and rice; great idea!
Ashley Schwartz says
Made this for my family on sunday. Everyone loved it! Added cheese and sour cream to mine!
Tati Chermayeff says
Thank you, Ashley! My family loves this dinner recipe too.
Kent J says
Killer turkey chili recipe. So easy to make and really tasty.
Tati Chermayeff says
Kent, thanks for your comment! You are too kind.
Meghan says
THIS. So easy and so delicious. I’ve tried so many different healthy turkey chili recipes and this one is by far my favorite