Make White Turkey Chili in your slow cooker with leftover turkey for a filling, one-pot dinner that’s as simple as it gets. Add all the ingredients to the crockpot, cover, and walk away. When people are hungry again, set out toppings and let everyone craft their perfect bowl.
White Turkey Chili is peak post-holiday food. You just want to feel comfortable and warm because you’re tired of cooking and have a ton of leftover turkey. This version is packed with flavor from loads of spices, green chiles, corn, and fresh cilantro. Like any other chili, it tastes even better when topped with a mountain of ingredients like tortilla chips or crackers, cheese, sour cream, avocado, white onion, and jalapeños.
When all you could manage to do was grab a rotisserie chicken from the store, this is a great weeknight meal option because you can easily substitute leftover chicken. That’s not a bad thing at all, but when you make your own delectable white chili, it will taste even better.
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe. Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
The crisp autumn air nips at your cheeks, and the leaves crunch underfoot as you walk home. The aroma of warm spices and savory broth wafts through the air, beckoning you inside. It’s the perfect day for a bowl of slow cooker white turkey chili, a comforting and flavorful dish that will warm your body and soul.
This recipe is a culinary symphony of tender turkey, creamy white beans, sweet corn, and a symphony of spices. The slow cooker does its magic, transforming these simple ingredients into a rich and hearty chili that will leave you feeling satisfied and content.
Ingredients: A Culinary Canvas
- 1 pound ground turkey: The lean protein base of our chili, providing a satisfying texture and a boost of essential nutrients.
- 2 cups chicken broth: The liquid foundation, adding depth and richness to the flavor profile.
- 1 cup salsa verde: A vibrant blend of tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and cilantro, injecting a zesty kick and a touch of acidity.
- 15 oz canned navy beans, drained and rinsed: These creamy white beans add a touch of sweetness and a satisfying texture.
- 2 teaspoons cumin: An earthy spice that adds warmth and depth to the chili.
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano: A fragrant herb that complements the cumin and adds a subtle Mediterranean flair.
- ½ teaspoon salt: A culinary essential, enhancing the flavors and bringing everything together.
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream: A touch of indulgence, adding a creamy richness and a velvety texture.
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch: A thickening agent, ensuring a satisfyingly thick and hearty chili.
Instructions: A Culinary Journey
- Brown the ground turkey: In a skillet, cook the ground turkey until it’s fully cooked and crumbled. This step ensures that the turkey is evenly cooked and adds a touch of caramelization for added flavor.
- Assemble the chili: Add all the ingredients (except the cream and cornstarch) to your slow cooker. Stir everything together to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Slow cook to perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and develop, resulting in a deeply flavorful chili.
- Thicken and enrich: Add the cream and cornstarch slurry to the chili and let it heat through. The cornstarch will thicken the chili, while the cream adds a touch of richness and creaminess.
- Serve and savor: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or even a dollop of guacamole are all excellent options.
Variations and Substitutions: A Culinary Adventure
- No cream? No problem! This chili is delicious without the cream, but if you prefer a richer flavor, you can use heavy whipping cream, or even substitutes like soy milk or almond milk if you’re vegan or vegetarian.
- Ground chicken or chicken breast: Feel free to substitute ground chicken, thigh meat, or even chicken breasts for the turkey. This will give the chili a slightly different flavor profile, but it will still be delicious.
- Extra veggies: Broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini are just some of the veggies that would be good in this chili. Add them in with the other ingredients and let them cook until tender.
- Beans: Feel free to use another white bean in place of the navy beans, like Great Northern.
- Spices: This recipe is a great base, but feel free to experiment with other spices. You could add a little black pepper or cayenne pepper to give it some heat.
- Leftover turkey: You could even make this recipe with leftover turkey from your holiday celebration.
Favorite Toppings: A Culinary Extravaganza
- Shredded cheese: A classic topping that adds a creamy richness and a touch of saltiness.
- Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a tangy counterpoint to the chili’s warmth.
- Fresh chopped cilantro: This fresh herb adds a bright and herbaceous flavor that complements the chili’s spices.
- Even some leftover cooked rice: This adds a bit more bulk and makes the chili even more filling.
How to Store Leftovers: A Culinary Time Capsule
- Store your chili covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. You’ll want to use air-tight containers so you don’t get frostbite.
How to Freeze White Turkey Chili: A Culinary Preservation Technique
- Just pop it into the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or microwave.
- I also love using Souper Cubes to freeze soups and chilis. Perfect for popping out the ideal portion to reheat for lunch or dinner.
Recipe Tips & FAQs: A Culinary Q&A
- A 3-4 quart slow cooker is best for this recipe.
- Feel free to double the recipe if you are feeding a crowd.
- If you use cream cheese in place of the heavy cream, be sure it’s at room temperature and that you mix a ladle full of the hot chili with the cream cheese until it’s smooth, and then mix that into the entire pot of chili.
- Add extra veggies for even more nutrition!
- This chili is perfect for game day, potlucks, quick lunches, or dinners! It’s always a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
This slow cooker white turkey chili is a culinary masterpiece that is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s easy to make, flavorful, and satisfying, making it the perfect meal for a cozy night in or a casual gathering with friends and family. So grab your slow cooker, gather your ingredients, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds.
Recipe tips and variations
Regular (red) chili gets its color from red chilis (often in the form of chili powder) and tomatoes. White chili uses green chiles and creamy ingredients like cream cheese, half and half, or heavy cream.
Kidney beans contain phytohemagglutinin, a type of lectin that is very toxic at high levels. If you want to use dried kidney beans instead of fresh, you MUST soak them beforehand and cook them over 212 degrees Fahrenheit for at least ten minutes. Therefore, you should have no trouble cooking this chili for a long enough period of time as long as you soak your beans beforehand.
This recipe calls for an Americanized chili powder blend that is made with ground cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, among other spices. When purchasing “chili powder” at an international food market, sometimes what you’re getting is simply ground dried red chilies (cayenne pepper). You should be able to tell by the color of the powder.