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This single serving turkey chili is a hearty, flavorful dish made with lean ground turkey, beans, and vegetables. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a healthy and satisfying meal packed with bold spices and wholesome ingredients. Perfectly portioned for one, this easy-to-make chili is a quick option for a nutritious, homemade dinner.
Looking for more single serving chili recipes? Try our classic Beef Chili, lighter Chicken Chili, veggie-packed Vegetarian Chili, easy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, or flavorful Chili Mac!
RELATED: Easy Dinner Ideas For One
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of Flavor: Packed with spices for a rich, satisfying chili taste.
- Healthy Turkey Chili: Made with ground turkey, beans, and veggies for a balanced, wholesome meal.
- Quick and Easy: Simple ingredients and clear instructions make it easy to prepare.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level or add your favorite toppings to suit your taste.
- Perfect Portion: Designed for one, so there’s no leftover waste.
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Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this ground turkey chili recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: I prefer extra virgin olive oil for its natural flavor and nutrients, but a lighter olive oil works too if you prefer a milder taste.
- Vegetables: Onions, garlic, and yellow or red bell peppers add great flavor to the chili. Sauté the onions and peppers until softened, then add garlic for the final minute of cooking. This combination is also used in recipes like Pepper Steak, Baked Penne, and Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Ground Turkey: Brown the turkey in the skillet before adding other ingredients to ensure it’s fully cooked and flavorful. Leftover ground turkey works well in Sloppy Joe or Ground Turkey Tacos.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper bring bold flavor to the chili. Adjust to your taste preferences.
- Canned Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes are convenient, but about 2 cups of fresh chopped tomatoes work too. For a sweeter twist, substitute roasted red bell peppers for tomatoes. Use leftover tomatoes in Tomato Soup, Chicken Cacciatore, or Shrimp Creole.
- Black Beans: Canned black beans are easy to use, but pinto or red beans make great substitutes. Leftover beans are perfect for Baked Black Bean Tacos, Cowboy Caviar, or Taco Soup.
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Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the turkey and double the beans for a hearty, meatless chili.
- Add Spice: Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or more for extra heat.
- Sweet and Savory: Stir in a cup of corn kernels for a touch of natural sweetness.
How To Make Turkey Chili
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and red or yellow bell peppers in a small skillet until softened and fragrant. Push the vegetables to the side and brown the ground turkey until fully cooked. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, mixing well to combine. Stir in canned diced tomatoes and black beans, then let the chili simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the chili to thicken.
Expert Tips
- Use a Heavy Skillet: It ensures even cooking and better results.
- Taste and Adjust: Season with more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your taste.
- Add Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkle on top adds a bright, flavorful finish.
How To Make Turkey Chili In A Slow Cooker
Making turkey chili in a slow cooker is simple and yields delicious results. Here’s how:
- Brown the Turkey: Start by browning the ground turkey on the stove to enhance its flavor.
- Sauté the Vegetables: For added depth of flavor, sauté the onions, peppers, and garlic on the stove. This step is optional but highly recommended.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooked turkey and vegetables to a 1.5 to 2-quart slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients from the recipe and stir to combine.
- Cook: Set the slow cooker to LOW and cook for 4 hours.
This method gives you a flavorful, hands-off way to enjoy turkey chili that’s perfectly portioned for one.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this single serving turkey chili in a variety of ways:
- On Its Own: A bowl of this flavorful chili is satisfying all by itself.
- Over Rice: Serve over warm brown rice for a hearty, filling meal.
- With Bread: Pair with crusty French bread for a comforting side.
- In a Tortilla: Wrap it in a soft tortilla for a fun, handheld option.
- On a Salad: Spoon over fresh greens with a light vinaigrette for a lighter twist.
- With Pasta: Mix with buttered noodles for a delicious, Italian-inspired meal.
- As a Dip: Use it as a dip with crunchy tortilla chips for a tasty snack.
- Topped with Cheese: Sprinkle with Parmesan for a savory, cheesy finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ground beef is a great substitute for turkey if you prefer a richer flavor.
Yes, it stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated when ready to serve.
Absolutely! Allow the chili to cool, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Yes, simply double the ingredients to make enough for two servings or leftovers.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serve turkey chili recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Turkey Chili For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 small yellow or red bell pepper -chopped
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 5 ounces ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup canned black beans -rinsed and drained
- Optional, for topping: cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or cilantro.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and bell peppers, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Add the diced tomatoes and black beans. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve with your favorite garnishes, such as Parmesan cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or cilantro.
Notes
- Use a Heavy Skillet: It ensures even cooking and better results.
- Taste and Adjust: Season with more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your taste.
- Add Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkle on top adds a bright, flavorful finish.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I love this recipe!! I’ve made it three times now. I like to add just a splash of vegetable stock to make it a little more soupy, but the recipe is great and I love finding single serving recipes.
Wonderful dish! I will make it again. I had some portabella mushrooms and fresh spinach I needed to use up so added those and turned out quite delicious, had a bowl tonight and one to take to work for lunch tomorrow.
If I don’t like cooked tomatoes what can I use? I’m fine with tomato sauce and paste.
Hi Sandy, you can leave the tomatoes out and add in another vegetable like extra yellow, red, or green bell peppers, chopped zucchini, or a handful of fresh spinach.
This chili is now on my meal plan. Hearty, filling and smells so good when simmering on the stove. Perfect for cool days, I recommend giving it a try even if you don’t care for turkey.
Another good recipe. Didn’t have red pepper but added chopped celery and carrot. Used entire cans of diced tomatoes and beans. Added chili powder and cumin. Made 2 servings so one serving was eaten and one went in the freezer for another time.
Delicious. Easy and quick
I used fire roasted tomatoes. Added cumin and chili seasoning
Baked some corn muffins too.