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Cozy Turkey Chili with Sweet Potato & Black Beans – Easy One-Pot Meal

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A hearty and comforting turkey chili with sweet potato and black beans, inspired by a beloved Portland diner. This one-pot meal is quick, easy, and perfect for cozy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ pounds ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into ½-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for serving)
  • Diced avocado (for serving)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for serving)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for serving)
  • Cornbread or tortilla chips (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, mince the garlic, peel and cube the sweet potatoes into ½-inch pieces. Drain and rinse the black beans. Measure out your spices into a small bowl.
  2. Heat the olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and starting to brown at the edges.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground turkey in two batches. Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes per batch to get a nice brown crust. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Transfer the first batch to a plate and repeat with the second batch.
  5. Return all the turkey to the pot. Sprinkle the spice blend (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper) over the meat. Stir constantly for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
  6. Add the cubed sweet potatoes and stir to coat them in the spiced turkey mixture. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
  8. Add the drained and rinsed black beans. Stir gently to combine. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  9. After 25 minutes, check the sweet potatoes. They should be fork-tender. If still firm, let it simmer another 5-10 minutes uncovered to thicken.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt if needed, a squeeze of lime juice for brightness, or a pinch more cayenne for heat.
  11. Let it rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the turkey in batches to avoid steaming. Cut sweet potatoes evenly for uniform cooking. Toast spices in the fat for deeper flavor. Chili tastes even better the next day. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, sweet potato chili, black bean chili, one-pot meal, easy chili, cozy chili, healthy chili, gluten-free chili, dairy-free chili

Find it online: https://milacook.com/cozy-turkey-chili-with-sweet-potato-and-black-beans-easy-one-pot-meal/