Turkey Chili with Quinoa Recipe | Kita Roberts | Girl Carnivore (2024)

Lighten up your chili night with this nutritious turkey and quinoa version. Lean ground turkey and protein-packed quinoa join forces with zesty spices and beans for a satisfying, better-for-you meal.

Like a warm hug on a cold day, this Turkey Chili with Quinoa is a healthy bowl of goodness filled with whole grains, ground turkey, veggies, and spices. Easy and quick to make, this chili recipe is a lean, mean chili machine. Perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.

Chili is one of our favorite comfort foods to make because it’s packed with tons of veggies, spices, and ground meat, making it the perfect balanced meal. This Quinoa Turkey Chili is a fun twist on classic chili and is perfect for game days, family get-togethers, or an easy dinner recipe.

What Is Quinoa Turkey Chili?

Quinoa turkey chili is a lighter version of beef chili but still has a ton of flavor from the spices and variety of veggies.​

Like our slow cooker turkey chili recipe, and butternut squash turkey chili, this recipe uses ground turkey as the protein source instead of ground beef. And, the quinoa adds protein too, so you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

This recipe is the perfect quick weeknight meal for when you want something easy and light but without the fuss.

Turkey Quinoa Chili Ingredients

• Olive oil – for cooking the turkey.
• Lean ground turkey – you could also use ground chicken for this recipe.
• Onion – deepens the flavor of the chili.
• Garlic cloves
• Chili powder – provides that classic chili flavor.
• Cumin – adds an earthy, nutty flavor.
• Oregano – adds a peppery, sweet flavor.
• Salt and pepper
• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes – provides a slight kick.
• Black beans – feel free to use any type of beans you like, such as kidney beans, pinto beans, white beans, etc.
• Mushrooms – savory, umami notes. If you want more of a smoky flavor, add umami smoked mushrooms to your chili.
• Tabasco sauce – adds a kick of heat.
• Sweet potatoes – add bulk and veggies to the chili.
• Quinoa – a hearty grain that adds fiber and creates a super filling meal.
• Chicken broth

How to Make Turkey Chili with Quinoa

First, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, swirl the olive oil to coat the pan. Then, cook the ground turkey meat, chopping as needed, until it’s brown on all sides.

Next, stir in the onion and cook for 5 minutes longer. After that, add the garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, which usually takes about 30 seconds. Then, add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 30 seconds.

Now, stir in the tomatoes, beans, mushrooms, Tabasco sauce, sweet potato, quinoa, and chicken stock. Bring everything to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Cover the Dutch oven and let it cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the quinoa is cooked through and the chili has thickened. If needed, you can add more chicken broth during this time if needed to keep things just liquidy enough but not soup like.

Finally, serve the chili with diced avocado, sour cream, or any of your favorite toppings if desired. Enjoy!

What to Serve With Quinoa Turkey Chili

Keep it light with a side of roasted butternut squash or air fryer cauliflower. Want to keep things comfy cozy? Pair your bowl of chili with a side of Brussels sprouts au gratin or bbq glazed smoked Brussels sprouts with bacon.

Leftovers & Reheating

Store this leftover quinoa chili recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Freeze for 4-6 months.

To reheat, set a small saucepan on the stove top on medium heat. Pour the chili in the pan and reheat until warm.

Note: You can reheat frozen chili using the instructions above.

More Delicious Chili Recipes

• Weeknight Easy Beef Chili
• Slow Cooker Whole 30 Butternut Squash Chili
• White Chicken Chili
• Colorado Green Chili

The addition of quinoa makes this chili a great choice for a healthy dinner packed with nutrients.

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