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Quick Turkey Sweet Potato Chili in 30 Minutes

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A quick and easy turkey sweet potato chili that’s ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot meal is hearty, flavorful, and packed with nutrients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups, ½-inch cubes)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil. Place your large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let it warm up for about 30 seconds—you want it shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Cook the turkey. Add the ground turkey to the pot. Break it apart with your wooden spoon and cook for 5-6 minutes, until it’s no longer pink. Don’t drain the fat.
  3. Sauté the aromatics. Push the turkey to one side of the pot. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds—just until fragrant. Stir everything together.
  4. Add the vegetables. Toss in the cubed sweet potatoes and diced bell pepper. Stir to coat them in the pan juices. Cook for 2 minutes, letting them soften slightly.
  5. Add the liquids and spices. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
  6. Add the beans. Stir in the drained and rinsed black beans. Bring the chili to a gentle boil—you’ll see bubbles around the edges.
  7. Simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes. Stir once halfway through. The sweet potatoes should be fork-tender when done. If they’re still firm, let it go another 3-5 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust. Give it a taste. Need more salt? Add a pinch. Want more heat? A dash of cayenne or hot sauce works wonders.
  9. Serve. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.

Notes

For faster cooking, microwave sweet potato cubes for 3 minutes before adding. Chili thickens as it sits; add broth when reheating if needed. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, sweet potato chili, quick chili, weeknight dinner, healthy chili, 30-minute meal