Healthy White Turkey Chili with Avocado & White Beans
The best white turkey chili made with lean ground turkey, white beans, and creamy Greek yogurt. A cozy, protein-packed one-pot dinner that’s naturally gluten-free and ready in 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Southwestern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey (lean, ~93%)
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed (~480g total drained)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (1 quart)
½ cup plain Greek yogurt (nonfat or low-fat) or 4 oz light cream cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (4 oz) mild green chiles
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
Seasonings & Finishers:
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp chili powder
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp fresh lime juice (~half a lime)
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)
1 avocado, sliced (for topping, optional)
Shredded cheese or crushed tortilla chips (optional toppings)
Instructions
Prep Ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, drain and rinse beans, chop jalapeño (if using), and open canned items.
Heat the Pot: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium.
Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion; cook 4–5 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and jalapeño; cook 30–60 seconds more.
Brown Turkey: Add ground turkey and cook 5–7 minutes until no longer pink. Break up meat and drain fat if needed.
Add Spices & Chiles: Stir in cumin, oregano, chili powder, smoked paprika, and green chiles. Cook 1–2 minutes to bloom spices.
Add Beans & Broth: Pour in white beans and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
Simmer: Simmer uncovered 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Make It Creamy: Remove from heat and stir in Greek yogurt (or cream cheese) until smooth. Add a splash of broth if too thick.
Brighten & Season: Stir in fresh lime juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese, or tortilla chips as desired.
Notes
For dairy-free: use a plant-based yogurt alternative or skip the creamy addition.
Instant Pot: Use sauté function for steps 2–5, then pressure cook on high for 10 minutes with a quick release.
Slow Cooker: Brown meat first, then transfer to slow cooker with all ingredients (except yogurt/lime). Cook on low for 6–7 hours.
Freezer-friendly: Freeze in airtight containers up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently.
Add corn or chopped spinach for variety.
