There’s something so cozy and satisfying about a pot of chili simmering slowly, filling the kitchen with rich, spicy aromas. This Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe is my go-to for a wholesome, comforting meal that’s both hearty and light enough to enjoy any day of the week.

The image shows a close-up of a thick, rich chili mixture held by a metal ladle. The chili has several layers: red kidney beans that are glossy and plump, browned ground meat with a crumbly texture, small pieces of yellow corn, and diced green bell peppers. These ingredients are all combined in a thick reddish-brown sauce that looks smooth and slightly oily with visible spices and herbs. The ladle is shiny silver, with the chili filling it almost to the edge, and the rest of the chili fills the background with the same vibrant colors and textures. The photo is taken with a white marbled textured background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made my share of chili recipes, but this Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe stands out because it’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down. Plus, using turkey keeps it lean and nutritious without sacrificing heartiness.

Easy Prep: You just brown some ingredients first, then everything goes into the slow cooker for a fuss-free meal.
Loaded with Flavor: The combination of smoky chipotle, cumin, and fire-roasted tomatoes gives it a deep, satisfying taste.
Healthy and Lean: Using ground turkey and plenty of veggies keeps this chili lighter but still very filling.
Versatile and Customizable: It’s easy to tweak the spice level or add ingredients to fit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. The balance between spice, heat, and sweetness from the veggies makes it a crowd-pleaser. Here are some key insights to help you shop and prep smartly.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a pile of diced yellow onion, a diced green poblano pepper, three whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a mound of lean ground turkey, a small white ceramic bowl with reddish chili powder, another small bowl with light brown ground cumin, a small heap of dried oregano leaves, a pinch of ground coriander, one fresh red chipotle chile beside a small white bowl with reddish-brown adobo sauce, a small pile of coarse kosher salt, a small mound of diced green chiles, a small heap of bright yellow fire roasted corn kernels, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with crushed fire roasted diced tomatoes, a small white bowl with drained kidney beans, a small white ceramic bowl with pale golden chicken broth, and small piles of shredded cheese, fresh green cilantro sprigs, chopped green onions, and a dollop of creamy white Greek yogurt, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive Oil: Used to sauté the aromatics, it adds subtle fruitiness and helps soften the vegetables without adding heaviness.
Diced Yellow Onion: Onion is a chili essential—it brings natural sweetness that mellows the spices and adds depth.
Poblano Pepper: This mild chili offers just enough warmth plus a smoky flavor without overwhelming the dish.
Garlic: Minced cloves inject that unmistakable, savory punch that’s vital in chili.
Lean Ground Turkey: I use 93/7% lean for the perfect blend of moistness without too much fat.
Chili Powder: The base spice for chili, giving it that iconic flavor with a hint of earthiness.
Ground Cumin: Adds a smoky, warm aroma that complements the chili powder beautifully.
Oregano & Ground Coriander: These herbs introduce a fresh, slightly citrusy note to balance the richness.
Chipotle Chile & Adobo Sauce: This is the secret weapon for smoky heat—adds depth and a bit of tang.
Kosher Salt: Crucial for seasoning and bringing the flavors together, adjust to your taste.
Diced Green Chiles: Provide additional mild heat and a nice texture contrast.
Fire Roasted Corn: The sweetness pops against the spicy notes, keeping things interesting.
Crushed Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: The base of the chili’s sauce, adding body and richness.
Kidney Beans: They bulk up the chili and add creaminess once simmered.
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Liquefies the ingredients without overwhelming flavor and keeps salt content manageable.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this chili is how easily you can customize it. Over time, I’ve tweaked the recipe to suit my mood or what's in my kitchen, and you can too!

Variation: Some days I swap out the kidney beans for black beans for a different texture and a bit more bite. It works beautifully.
Spice it Up or Down: If you like it hotter, add another chipotle or a dash of cayenne. Prefer mild? Just skip the chipotle and adobo.
Veggie Boost: You can throw in diced zucchini or bell peppers if you want more veggies—just make sure to sauté them with the onion for best flavor.
Make it Vegan: Swap the turkey for plant-based protein crumbles or lentils and use vegetable broth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

A close-up of a bowl filled with thick chili, showing dark red kidney beans, yellow corn kernels, and brown cooked ground meat mixed in a rich red tomato sauce, topped with bright orange shredded cheese scattered unevenly on one side, light yellow broken tortilla chips layered over the chili, small green herb pieces sprinkled over the dish for color, and a dollop of pale green sour cream on the edge. A spoon is partially inside the bowl on the left side, and the bowl rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the flavors

Start by heating the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add your diced onion, poblano pepper, and minced garlic. I love watching the onions turn translucent—it takes about 3 minutes. This quick sauté softens the veggies and brings out their natural sweetness that’s key for a rich chili flavor later.

Step 2: Brown the turkey

Next, toss the ground turkey into the same skillet. Crumble it as you cook and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Cooking it until it's nicely browned not only improves flavor but also locks in juices. Just keep an eye on it—I usually brown the turkey for about 6-7 minutes, until no pink remains.

Step 3: Combine and slow cook

Transfer both the sautéed veggies and browned turkey to your slow cooker. Add the rest of your ingredients—chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, chipotle, diced green chiles, corn, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Give it all a good stir to mix everything up evenly. Set your slow cooker on low for 7 hours or high for 3-4 hours and let the magic happen.

Step 4: Finish and serve

Once it’s done, the flavors will be fully melded, and the chili will have thickened to a perfect consistency. Ladle it into bowls and top with shredded cheese, a little avocado, fresh cilantro, some crunchy tortilla chips, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if you like that creamy contrast.

Top Tip

Having made this chili countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the end result even better—and I want to share them with you so your chili can be just as amazing.

Sauté First: Don’t skip the sautéing step. Cooking the onions, peppers, and turkey first builds a richer flavor base that slow cooking alone can’t achieve.
Don’t Over-Stir: When the chili’s simmering in the slow cooker, try to resist opening the lid frequently. Letting out heat can extend cooking time and affect texture.
Adjust Salt at the End: Slow cooking can concentrate flavors; taste the chili near the end and add salt gradually so it’s just right.
Mind Your Chipotle: Chipotle in adobo is smoky and spicy—start with less if you’re unsure, you can always add more after cooking.

How to Serve Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this chili with shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese for melting gooeyness. Freshly chopped cilantro adds a burst of color and herbaceous brightness. A spoonful of Greek yogurt balances the spice with creamy coolness, and tortilla chips bring just the right crunch. Sometimes, I throw on diced avocado for buttery richness.

Side Dishes

I usually serve this chili with a simple side of cornbread or warm tortillas. A crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette also pairs wonderfully to freshen up each bite against the rich chili.

Creative Ways to Present

For cozy gatherings, I like to offer a chili topping bar with options like diced onions, jalapeños, shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped fresh herbs all lined up buffet style. It lets everyone customize their bowls and makes the meal feel festive and fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and find it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld fully. It keeps well for up to 4 days, making it great for meal prep.

Freezing

This Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe freezes beautifully. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags, label them, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge for easy reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to warm evenly. Adding a splash of broth or water helps if the chili has thickened too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe spicier?

Absolutely! The chipotle and chili powder provide a smoky spice, but you can boost heat by adding a diced jalapeño, extra chipotle chiles, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Just add gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the dish.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

No slow cooker? No problem. You can make this chili on the stove in a large pot. Brown the turkey and vegetables as instructed, then add everything else and simmer gently on low for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally until thickened.

Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?

Definitely! Ground beef will give a richer, heartier chili. If you go this route, consider using lean ground beef to keep it healthier and drain excess fat after browning. The spices and slow cooking process still shine through.

How do I adjust the recipe for meal prep portions?

This recipe scales well. Simply multiply or divide ingredient amounts based on how many servings you want. The chili keeps well in the fridge, so making a bigger batch means you’ll have ready-to-eat meals for days.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe enough. It’s become a staple in my weekly rotation because it’s simple, nutritious, and absolutely delicious. I hope you’ll find it just as comforting and easy to make—it feels like a little hug in a bowl every time.