Chipotle Black Bean Ground Turkey Chili is the ultimate flavor-packed one pot dinner that’s perfect for feeding hungry families on busy weeknights! It’s made with lean ground turkey, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and smoky chili seasonings. Let everyone customize their bowl with their favorite toppings and you have an incredibly satisfying and easy protein-packed dinner that will quickly become a family favorite!
There’s nothing better than an incredibly flavorful bowl of chili that’s packed with so many good and healthy components! Lean protein and vegetables are the stars of this dish, so I feel so good about serving it to my family! I love that it’s not complicated to make and only leaves one dish for cleaning at the end of the evening. And if you’re like me and spend all afternoon driving your kids to their practices, then pull out your crockpot earlier in the day and consider dinner done! You just can’t go wrong!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Packed with flavor – The chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes and homemade chili seasoning blend all add smoky and spicy flavors to this delicious recipe!
- Perfect for meal prep – This recipe makes plenty for meal-prepping portions and it’s freezer-friendly! Or make a big batch and freeze for a delicious meal later.
- One pot – Everything is simmered together in one pot, making cooking and clean up a breeze!
- Customizable – Everyone can add their favorite toppings: sour cream, cilantro, cheddar cheese, avocado or tortilla chips!
Recipe Notes
This Chipotle Black Bean Ground Turkey Chili recipe is as simple as promised! Just cook everything together in the same pot for a family friendly comforting meal with easy cleanup.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Chipotle Black Bean Ground Turkey Chili to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Ground turkey – Of course, this is a ground turkey recipe. However, if you have ground chicken or extra lean ground beef on hand, those will both work well!
- Onion – I use a yellow onion, but you can easily use white, sweet or red.
- Green bell pepper – Green bell peppers are my go-to’s for chili. However, if you’d like a sweeter flavor, you can substitute for a red, orange or yellow pepper.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic is my recommendation, but to save time you can use pre-minced garlic from a jar.
- Diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce – This will come in a jar.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes– “Fire Roasted” is key to adding more smoky flavor to this chili.
- Tomato paste
- Chicken broth
- Chili seasoning blend: chili powder, sugar, ground cumin, salt, ground pepper
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Veggie- forward chili– Adding diced veggies to your chili is a great way to thicken it a bit, as well as adding more vitamins and nutrients! Adding corn, diced zucchini, poblano peppers or diced carrots are all great veggie options!
- Extra bean chili – If you’re a fan of beans, feel free to add more! You can add another can of black beans or consider varying your additional beans by using kidney beans, pinto or white beans. You may need to add 1/2 cup of additional chicken broth if the chili is too thick.
- Creamy chili– Stir in a little cream cheese, greek yogurt or sour cream to add a creamy consistency to your chili. You can also stir in some shredded cheddar cheese to bring creamy, cheesy flavors!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Chipotle Black Bean Ground Turkey Chili.
In a large dutch oven or pot, add ground turkey, diced onion, diced bell pepper and garlic and cook.
Add the chili seasoning and diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
Stir in the black beans and chicken broth.
Stir to combine, bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low. Let simmer about 15-20 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Let it simmer – Don’t rush the simmer. The longer the chili simmers, the more deep the flavors will become. The flavors will meld together, the broth will thicken and it will become more and more delicious!
- Use the adobo sauce – Don’t drain the adobo sauce from the diced chipotle peppers! The sauce will add tons of smoky and spicy flavor!
- Rinse the black beans – Drain and rinse the can of black beans before adding them to the chili. Removing the excess liquid will keep the chili at the right consistency and will also keep it from becoming overly salty.
- Don’t forget the toppings! – All of the fun toppings are what will make this chili over the top delicious! Sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, cilantro and tortilla chips all make great toppings. The best part is everyone gets to enjoy their bowl of chili their own way!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Pre-chopped veggies – Buy pre-chopped onions and green bell peppers to eliminate some prep time. These can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores, as well as sometimes in the freezer section!
- Jarred, minced garlic – I keep a jar of minced garlic in my fridge to speed up recipes just like this one! There’s no need to press fresh garlic when you can simply scoop some minced garlic straight from the fridge.
- Chili seasoning packet– Consider using your favorite chili seasoning blend instead of measuring several individual spices to save some time. You’ll want to add about 3 tbsp of seasoning for a batch this size.
- Double the batch – Make twice as much and freeze half for a future busy-night dinner!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Chipotle Black Bean and Turkey Chili recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Go ahead and brown the turkey first, so you’re not combining it with other ingredients while it’s raw. After cooking, allow it to cool completely.
- Combine the browned turkey with all of the remaining ingredients.
- For easy store, place it in an air-tight freezer bag and remove as much air as possible, then freeze.
- When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the chili in your fridge overnight. Then transfer to a large pot and bring it to a simmer.
How to Freeze Black Bean Turkey Chili After Cooking
- Allow the chili to cool completely, then place in an air-tight freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
- When you’re ready to enjoy after being frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Transfer to a large pot and bring it to a simmer.
What to Serve with Chipotle Black Bean Turkey Chili
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of spicy and smoky chipotle, it will pair well with many of your favorite refreshing side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Simple side salad with homemade Jalapeño Ranch Dressing
- Easy Mexican Cornbread
- Chips and Easy Homemade Guacamole
- Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad
Chipotle Turkey Chili Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Cheesy Chili Tater Tot Casserole– Use this recipe for inspiration, but omit the ground beef, bacon and green beans and sub in your leftover chili! Yum!
- Chili Stuffed Baked Potatoes– A simple and filling meal that can be customized with everyone’s favorite toppings! Bake potatoes, add leftover chili and top with sour cream and shredded cheese.
- Chili Mac and Cheese – Use my grandma’s Macaroni and Cheese recipe, then just simply fold in some leftover chili and you’re good to go! So easy and delicious!
- Chili Stuffed Bell Peppers– The original recipe uses ground chicken, but you can easily swap with your leftover Chipotle Turkey Chili!
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make this chili less spicy?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of spicy food, there are some simple adjustments you can make so you’re still able to enjoy this recipe! Use less chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, reduce the amount of chili powder you use, or add a bit more chicken broth to dilute some of the spiciness.
Can I use regular diced tomatoes instead of the fire-roasted?
You definitely can, however the fire-roasted tomatoes are what will bring out the smoky flavor in the chili.
How can I thicken my chili?
Simmering your chili uncovered for several minutes will allow excess liquid to evaporate. You can also lightly mash some black beans or tomatoes against the side of your pot while you’re stirring it to naturally thicken the chili.
Can I make this recipe in the slow cooker?
Definitely!! Brown the turkey first, then you can add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker. This would be a great idea for nights when you won’t have much time to cook dinner. There’s nothing better than coming home to a deliciously smelling prepared dinner!
More EASY Chili & Soup Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy soup recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Southwest Chicken Chili
- Loaded Beef Enchilada Soup
- Green Chili Chicken Corn Chowder
Chipotle Black Bean Ground Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 green bell peppers, diced
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes, (15.25 ounces) or regular diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato paste, (6 ounce)
- 1½ cups chicken broth
For the Chili Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Make the chili seasoning by combining the chili powder, sugar, cumin, salt and pepper.
- In a large dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot, heat over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey, onion, green pepper, and garlic and cook, breaking the meat apart as you go until no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the chili seasoning and diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the meat, and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Add the black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken broth to the chili and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve warm with your choice of toppings.
Recipe Notes
- Tortilla chips
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Cheddar cheese
- Avocado
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