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Hearty Smoky Three-Bean Turkey Chili with Cornbread Croutons

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A deeply smoky, hearty chili made with ground turkey and three types of beans, topped with crunchy cornbread croutons. This quick and easy recipe comes together in about 45 minutes and is perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika (sweet, not hot)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Cornbread croutons, for topping (store-bought or homemade)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving (optional)
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • For the cornbread croutons (if making from scratch):
  • 1 box (about 8.5 ounces) cornbread mix
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion and bell pepper, mince the garlic, drain and rinse all three cans of beans, and measure out your spices.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and softened.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the pot. Break it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is no longer pink and any liquid has cooked off.
  5. Add the smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to toast the spices.
  6. Add the tomato paste and stir into the meat and spices. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tomato paste darkens slightly.
  7. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the crushed tomatoes. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  8. Add the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer.
  9. Add the beans to the pot and gently fold them in. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens.
  10. After 20 minutes, remove the bay leaf and taste the chili. Adjust seasoning with more salt, cayenne, or a squeeze of lime as desired.
  11. While the chili simmers, make the cornbread croutons: Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare cornbread mix according to package directions and spread batter in a greased 8×8-inch baking pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then cut into ½-inch cubes. Toss cubes with melted butter, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes until crispy and golden. (If using store-bought croutons, toast them…
  12. Serve immediately: Ladle chili into bowls, top generously with cornbread croutons, and garnish with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and a lime wedge on the side.

Notes

Toast the spices in oil for maximum flavor. Brown the turkey well for depth. Let the chili simmer at least 20 minutes; longer is better. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Make ahead for even better flavor. Store cornbread croutons separately to keep them crunchy.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, three-bean chili, smoky chili, cornbread croutons, easy chili recipe, healthy chili, meal prep chili

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/hearty-smoky-three-bean-turkey-chili-with-cornbread-croutons/