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Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
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Warm up your autumn nights with hearty Turkey Sweet Potato Chili, a comforting and nutritious dish combining lean ground turkey, sweet potatoes, rich spices, and tomatoes. Perfectly balanced for flavor and health, this chili is ideal for cozy evenings or festive seasonal dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Vegetables

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Canned & Beans

  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans or kidney beans (optional, drained and rinsed)

Spices & Seasonings

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids & Oils

  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prep the Vegetables: Start by peeling and cubing your sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion and mince the garlic to prepare for sautéing, which will bring out their natural sweetness.
  2. Brown the Turkey: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat and add ground turkey. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon for even cooking and texture.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onions and garlic to the turkey, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. This step unlocks deep flavors to enrich your chili.
  4. Add Sweet Potatoes and Spices: Stir in the cubed sweet potatoes followed by chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well to coat the veggies and turkey in the spices.
  5. Pour in Liquids and Simmer: Add diced tomatoes and broth, then bring the chili to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
  6. Beans and Finishing Touches: For added substance, stir in drained and rinsed beans in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh spices for the boldest flavor, especially chili powder and cumin.
  • Don’t overcook sweet potatoes; keep them tender but not mushy to preserve texture.
  • Layer flavors by browning the turkey and sweating onions separately to add depth.
  • Simmer slowly to allow all ingredients to meld and enhance overall taste.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, adding maple syrup or lime juice to tweak sweetness or brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey sweet potato chili, fall chili recipe, healthy chili, autumn dinner, gluten-free chili

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/turkey-sweet-potato-chili/