I normally don’t declare recipes the best for just any reason. In fact, if I’m saying something is the BEST, then it’s for a very good reason. Most often because I had multiple people try out a recipe and tell me it’s the best thing they’ve ever tasted; this happens most frequently when I bake cookies.
I created this now-internet-famous healthy turkey chili back in 2015 not knowing that Ambitious Kitchen would soon be known for it. I remember the very first time I made it and I was surprised at the wonderful thick texture and truly addicting flavor. Fast-forward almost 10 years and it’s one of the all-time MOST POPULAR recipes on Ambitious Kitchen. And for good reason!
It has quickly become one of those recipes people tuck into their recipe boxes, share with friends and family, and bookmark on their phones. I’m obsessed and I’m pretty sure the chili lovers of the world are, too.
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Ingredients in the best healthy turkey chili
This turkey chili recipe is packed with tons of spices, veggies, beans, and lean ground turkey to give it the perfect thickness and flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Veggies: you’ll need a red bell pepper, yellow onion, and canned or frozen sweet corn.
- Ground turkey: we’re adding lean protein with ground turkey (or you can use ground chicken) instead of traditional ground beef.
- Herbs & spices: the chili gets its incredible flavor from mild chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and plenty of salt.
- For the broth: everything simmers in a can of diced or crushed tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Beans: I like to add two cans of red kidney beans for wonderful texture, fiber & protein.
Can I make it vegetarian?
This turkey is truly best served the way it is, so if you’re looking for a vegetarian option try my Best Vegetarian Chili Ever!
Our fav ways to customize this turkey chili
The fun part about cooking chili is all of the toppings and ways you can make it your own! Here are some suggestions:
- Add delicious toppings: I love topping my bowl with fresh avocado, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, tortilla chips, and sliced jalapeños.
- Get spicy: if you like a kick of heat, feel free to add extra cayenne pepper and/or top your bowl with sliced jalapeños.
- Make it mild: alternatively, if you’re sensitive to heat simply omit the cayenne pepper. Please note that I use McCormick chili powder in this recipe, which is very mild. If your chili powder is spicy, you’ll want to reduce the amount.
What to serve with this turkey chili
This warming chili is absolutely wonderful paired with these honey pumpkin cornbread muffins, my best ever cornbread recipe, or even these easy gluten free crackers. If you’re serving a crowd for a party or game day, add these sides to your table:
- The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat
- Tortilla Chip-Crusted Baked Jalapeño Poppers
- Vegan Jalapeño Butternut Squash Queso
- Caramelized Garlic Carrots with Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
- Italian Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad
Get all of my appetizers here, and side dishes here!
Make it in your slow cooker
This healthy turkey chili can easily be made in the slow cooker as well! A great hands-free way to cook it and keep it warm. A few tips:
- Reduce the chicken broth to 1/2 cup.
- Brown the turkey and onions before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Add the rest of your ingredients and cook the chili on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
Storing & freezing tips
- In the refrigerator: this healthy turkey chili will stay good in your fridge for about 1 week. Once your chili is completely cooled, just place it in an airtight container (or multiple, if you’d like to meal prep it) without the additional toppings and place it in the fridge. To reheat it, simply do so in the microwave with a microwave safe bowl, or feel free to reheat it on the stovetop. Add your toppings once you’re ready to serve!
- In the freezer: chili makes the BEST freezer-friendly meal! Follow the instructions above, but instead of placing the turkey chili in the refrigerator just put it in your freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw the chili overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.
More chilis, soups & stews you’ll love
- Healthy White Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili
- Creamy White Bean Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Butternut Squash, Chickpea & Lentil Moroccan Stew
Get all of my soups, stews & chili recipes here!
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If you make this healthy turkey chili recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and rate the recipe! You can also snap and picture and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Seriously, The Best Healthy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 pound extra lean ground turkey or chicken (99%)
- 4 tablespoons chili powder* (I used McCormick chili powder, which is very mild. Do not use spicy chili powder, and if using a different brand, start with 2 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz) cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, rinsed and drained
- For topping: cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, sour cream
Instructions
- Place oil in a large pot and place over medium high heat. Add in onion, garlic and red pepper and saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add in ground turkey and break up the meat; cooking until no longer pink. Next add in chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper and salt; stir for about 20 seconds.
- Next add in tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until chili thickens and flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasonings and salt as necessary.
- Garnish with anything you'd like. Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on November 8th, 2015, republished on January 12th, 2023, republished on January 30th, 2024, and republished on January 9th, 2025.
Good recipe. I substituted black beans for corn. I used 2Tbsp. Simply Organics Chili Powder which seemed pretty mild, and omitted Cayenne. Seemed like a good compromise and didn’t make it too spicy. Still tasted like chili.
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
Really enjoy this easy recipe. Substituted one can of kidney beans for one can of black beans and used 3 Tablespoons of mild chili powder and 1 Tbsp of Chipotle chili powder to kick it up. Also tried it using fire roasted tomatoes instead of plain. Still good.
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
My go-to chili recipe because it actually is the BEST! Perfect for a chili day or just craving something warm. I personally think the secret ingredient is 1 tbsp of cocoa powder! It ties everything together! I sometimes also add a chopped up sweet potato with the onions to add a little sweetness and to make it a little more filling! YOU CAN”T GO WRONG WITH THIS RECIPE!!!!!
Love the addition of cocoa powder! So happy to hear this is a favorite!
I’ve been making this recipe for literally years at this point, I always google for it and it’s always here. It’s tasty, easy and comes together in no time. I usually leave out the bell pepper entirely and it’s just fine.
Thank you so much for posting this and keeping it up, it’s made my family happy for dinner many many times.
Perfect! It’s one of our all-time favs, too 🙂
My go to chili recipe. I originally would use a green bell pepper but recently started using a red, and it makes a difference! I thought it was yummy before, now it’s even better. We serve it over spaghetti and love it during the cold months.
Perfect! That sounds delicious!
This chili is an absolute staple in my home. Husband and all 4 kids love it!
So happy to hear that!
Easy recipe that’s so delicious every time I’ve made it!
I’m so glad!
THE BEST CHILI!! Soo easy and so delicious! I have my whole family hooked on this recipe. We make it all the time!!
So happy to hear that!
My husband says this turkey chili is one of the best things I make. He also thinks I came up with the recipe despite sending him this link several times. I do agree though – it is a perfect weeknight chili! I buy some sharp cheddar to grate, sour cream, and Fritos and call it a meal. The leftovers rule, too.
This is on regular rotation in my household. It’s so simple, delicious, and makes a batch big enough that we can freeze some leftovers. I usually serve with your cornbread recipe, another winner!
YES this one’s perfect for freezing (and with cornbread!)
Made this recipe twice now! Delicious! Thank you, Monique!
So happy to hear that!
I left out the sweet corn, halved the chili powder (using Simply Organic brand), and used fire-roasted crushed tomatoes. Also, I misunderstood the recipe and sauteed the onions and garlic with the chili powder instead of the red bell peppers. I threw them in with the tomatoes and chicken broth as soon as I realized my mistake (would’ve sauteed them first if I had it to do over again).
Served it at my Super Bowl party – it was a hit!
I’m tempted to try roasting the bell peppers first next time.
So glad this was a Super Bowl party hit! Definitely let me know how roasting the bell peppers goes if you try it 🙂
I make this regularly and it comes out great every time!
Fantastic! Super easy and so so flavorful! This is going on repeat for sure. Thanks!
My pleasure!
This chili is amazing and anyone saying it’s too spicy is hypersensitive, My wife and I add much more cayenne and we thing it is perfect!
Haha, I love that! Thank you for making this one 🙂
Excellent recipe!. Made on stove top. Easy and reheats well. Even better the next day. Thank you!
You’re so welcome, JD!
Was looking through my recipe folders, wanted chili. Found this one that I made in 2018. My notes said “very good” so made it again today Jan. 29, 2026. Still love it. Thanks, you made my day.
This made my day!
This recipe is bang on. We love this recipe and is now our go to. I have made it a dozen times. I love your recipes! Thank you for sharing.
So glad you love this one! It’s an AK classic 🙂
This was a great recipe! Since I didn’t have the same chili powder as you I was careful and added a little less than the recipe called for. We absolutely enjoyed it and will be keeping this recipe in our rotation.
Perfect! Glad it was a hit!
I absolutely love this chili! I make it once or twice a month – it’s become a staple in my home! Highly recommend!
So happy to hear that!
I made this today and it was excellent! My husband loved it and he’s pretty picky on the chili recipes. I made 2 changes to the recipe. Only used 2 Tablespoons of cumin. Hubby not a fan and used one can of rotel tomatoes and 1 can of diced. Gave it the heat without the cayenne. This goes to the top of my list.
Perfect! Glad you both enjoyed!
Great recipe. I also added some mushrooms for some extra fiber.
The only suggestion I have is to add the spices into the softened veggies for 30 seconds to cook them out a bit and then add the turkey, but that may just be a personal preference.
Perfect! And great tip 🙂
A great base recipe. I added 1 C chopped celery, 2 minced Jalapeños (skipped the. Cayenne) and adds 1/2 C red wine…and used leftover roast turkey, shredded….yummy!
This one’s great for customizing 🙂
A great base recipe. I added 1 C chopped celery, 2 minced Jalapeños (skipped the. Cayenne) and adds 1/2 red wine…and used leftover roast turkey, shredded….yummy!
I found this recipe bland and tasteless, a far cry from “the best.” Glad I didn’t make it for other than family. Didn’t really want to serve it to them.
Sorry to hear that! With 4 tablespoons of chili powder, salt to taste, and lots of other spices, I’m not sure how it came out bland.
So easy, quick and flavorful! I trebled the recipe as I feed my 100 year-old neighbor and she loved it! I did add extra peppers and carrots to sneak in some extra veg but, all in all, this recipe is such a winner. I’m making it again, third time in a month, because it’s such a good winter dish–and great for sharing.
Amazing! Perfect one for sharing 🙂
So easy, quick and flavorful! I trembled thebrecipe
So easy, affordable, and delish! I added a few bay leaves and a few tablespoons of tomato paste to make it richer.
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
I’m an experienced home chef. I can’t stand ground turkey. I give it to my dog because it’s healthy for her but I can’t stand the smell of it or the taste of it. But I was looking for an economical choice to cook for the homeless warming station which I cook for at least two times a year.. so I tried your recipe for 30 people. It blew my mind. I didn’t use low-fat ground turkey because I believe that homeless people are undernourished and need fat in their diet but I did drain the meat and it really wasn’t that fatty. I used Aldi FROZEN ground turkey. I followed the instructions for the most part except I cut back on the chicken broth because I felt it would be too soupy and I was right. I would most likely add more beans and less broth and more salt which is what I did and it came out great. So this will be my go-to recipe going forward. This is a huge compliment to you because I am nearly 60 years old and I don’t give compliments out very quickly but this recipe definitely nails the turkey chili concept. I usually prefer beef in my chili, but in this recipe I prefer the ground turkey. Thank you.
Amazing! So happy you gave this one a try and were able to share it this holiday season 🙂
I am a vegetarian but I make this recipe for my husband every couple of weeks and he absolutely loves it. I serve it with jalapeño corn bread.
Amazing! Jalapeño corn bread sounds delicious, too 🙂