This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Craving a warm, satisfying meal without a ton of effort? This single serving Turkey Chili recipe is just what you need! It’s packed with flavor, super easy to make, and ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a relaxing night in, it’ll hit the spot without creating a pile of leftovers.
In search of more single serving chili options? We’ve got you covered! Choose from our classic hearty Beef Chili, a lighter Chicken Chili, a veggie-packed Vegetarian Chili, a creamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, or our fun and tasty Chili Mac!
RELATED: Easy Dinner Ideas For One
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Chili Recipe
- Big on flavor: It’s packed with delicious spices for a satisfying chili taste.
- Healthy and satisfying: Ground turkey, beans, and veggies offer a balanced meal.
- Super easy: Simple ingredients and instructions make it a breeze to cook.
- Make it your own: Add your favorite toppings or adjust the spice level.
- No leftovers: The perfect portion size means no wasted food.
RELATED: The Best Soup Recipes For One
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving turkey chili recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: For this turkey chili, and all recipes needing olive oil, I prefer extra virgin olive oil. It’s the least processed, retaining more natural olive flavor and nutrients. Feel free to use a lighter olive oil if you prefer.
- Vegetables: The combination of onions, garlic, and either yellow or red bell pepper greatly enhances the flavor. Remember to cook these veggies first to bring out their flavors. Sauté the peppers and onions until the onions are translucent, then add garlic and cook for another minute. This trio of vegetables can also be found in our Pepper Steak, Baked Penne, and Chicken Tortilla Soup recipes.
- Ground Turkey: Brown the ground turkey in the skillet before adding beans and tomatoes to ensure it’s fully cooked and flavorful. If you have leftover ground turkey, consider using it in a Sloppy Joe or Ground Turkey Tacos.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper are essential for a flavorful chili. Adjust the quantities to suit your taste.
- Canned Tomatoes: While I use canned tomatoes, fresh chopped tomatoes (about 2 cups) are a great alternative. For a sweeter chili, try using roasted red bell peppers instead of tomatoes. Use leftover tomatoes in Tomato Soup, Chicken Cacciatore, or Shrimp Creole.
- Black Beans: Canned black beans are convenient, but you can substitute them with pinto or red beans. If you end up with leftover beans, you can add them to delicious dishes like Baked Black Bean Tacos, Cowboy Caviar, or Taco Soup.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian twist: Skip the turkey and double up on beans for a hearty meatless chili.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper (or more!) for a fiery kick.
- Touch of sweetness: Stir in a cup of corn kernels for a sweet and savory chili.
How To Make Chili With Ground Turkey
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Start with the Vegetables: In a small skillet, sauté the chopped onions, minced garlic, and your choice of chopped red or yellow pepper until they become soft and fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Turkey: Push the cooked vegetables aside in the pan and add the ground turkey. Cook it until browned, ensuring that it’s cooked through.
- Season the Mixture: Add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the turkey, mixing well to infuse the flavors into the meat.
- Add Tomatoes and Beans: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes and black beans, making sure they’re well incorporated with the turkey and vegetables.
- Let It Simmer: Continue to cook the mixture for about 10 minutes more, allowing the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken to your desired consistency.
These steps show how to make turkey chili that’s the perfect size for anyone cooking for one. It’s quick, easy, and sure to become a go-to meal for any chili lover!
Expert Tips
- Choose a heavy pot: This ensures even heat distribution for the best results.
- Taste and adjust: Add more salt, pepper, or spices to match your preferences.
- Garnish with cilantro: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a bright, flavorful touch.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your dish with these diverse serving options, each adding its own unique flair:
- Just the Chili: A bowl of this chili is fantastic on its own, brimming with flavors that satisfy all by itself.
- Over Rice: Enhance its heartiness by serving it over warm, fluffy rice.
- With Bread: Accompany it with crusty bread for an extra comforting touch.
- In a Tortilla: Roll it up in a soft tortilla for a delightful, handheld twist.
- On a Salad: Lighten it up by spooning it over a fresh green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette.
- With Pasta: Mix it with your favorite pasta for an Italian-inspired meal.
- As a Dip: Dive into it as a dip using crunchy tortilla chips for a fun snack.
- Topped with Cheese: Finish it off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a savory, cheesy kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This turkey chili freezes beautifully. Simply let it cool and store it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
If you don’t have canned tomatoes, you can use fresh tomatoes that have been diced. You may also add a little tomato sauce or paste for a richer tomato flavor.
Yes, making turkey chili without beans is entirely possible. While beans add texture and flavor to the recipe, they’re not essential. If beans aren’t to your liking, feel free to omit them entirely from this chili recipe. Your dish will still be flavorful and satisfying.
Making ground turkey chili in a slow cooker can deliver a flavorful result with minimal effort. Here’s a simple guide to create the perfect slow cooker chili:
Start by browning the ground turkey on the stove to enhance flavor.
Sautéing the onions, peppers, and garlic on the stove is recommended as well; it will improve their flavor and texture. This step isn’t mandatory, but it adds to the taste.
Transfer the precooked ingredients to the slow cooker, add the remaining ingredients, and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
Utilize a 1.5 to 2-quart slow cooker for optimal results.
Follow these tips, and enjoy a mostly hands-off cooking experience with a slow cooker turkey chili that is incredibly delicious.
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 turkey chili 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!
Healthy 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 (with their juices)
- ¼ cup canned black beans -rinsed and drained
- For topping: cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or cilantro. (optional)
Instructions
- Start with the Vegetables: In a medium-sized skillet, warm the oil over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onions and bell peppers, cooking them while stirring now and then for about 2 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Mix in the minced garlic and let it cook for another minute.
- Cook Turkey: Put the ground turkey into the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and stir occasionally. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, which should take around 8 minutes.
- Season the Mix: Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together for roughly 10 seconds.
- Include Tomatoes and Beans: Now, add the tomatoes and black beans to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Final Touches: Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings and salt if needed. Serve with your choice of garnishes like Parmesan cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or cilantro.
Notes
- Choose a heavy pot: This ensures even heat distribution for the best results.
- Taste and adjust: Add more salt, pepper, or spices to match your preferences.
- Garnish with cilantro: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a bright, flavorful touch.
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.