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Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Sweet Potato

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This easy slow cooker turkey chili with sweet potato is a warm, hearty, and comforting meal that comes together with minimal effort. The sweet potato melts into the broth, creating a silky, slightly sweet base that balances the savory turkey and smoky spices.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted recommended)
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for serving, optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for serving, optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for serving, optional)
  • Sliced avocado (for serving, optional)
  • Lime wedges (for serving, optional)
  • Tortilla chips or crusty bread (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain off any excess fat if needed, then transfer the turkey to a plate and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  3. Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker: start with the diced sweet potato and bell pepper at the bottom. Then add the browned turkey, the sautéed onions and garlic, the drained beans, the diced tomatoes (with their juices), and the tomato sauce.
  4. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using) over the top. Pour in the chicken broth. Give everything a good stir to combine.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the flavors have melded together.
  6. Before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasoning with more salt or spices if needed. Add a squeeze of lime juice to brighten the flavors if desired.
  7. Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your favorite fixings: shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with tortilla chips or crusty bread on the side.

Notes

For a thicker chili, mash some of the sweet potatoes against the side of the slow cooker or leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking. If the chili is too thick, stir in extra broth or water. The flavors develop even more after a day in the fridge. This chili freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker turkey chili, sweet potato chili, easy chili recipe, healthy chili, turkey chili, slow cooker recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-slow-cooker-turkey-chili-with-sweet-potato/