One-Pot Cherry Chipotle Turkey (Print View)

Turkey, cherries, chipotle, and beans blend in a smoky, sweet chili cooked easily in one pot for a hearty meal.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Fruits

05 - 1 cup pitted cherries, halved (fresh or frozen)

→ Beans

06 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
07 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

→ Tomatoes

08 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Seasonings & Spices

10 - 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (plus 1 tbsp sauce)
11 - 1 tbsp chili powder
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1 tsp kosher salt
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Liquids

18 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Optional Garnishes

19 - Chopped cilantro
20 - Sliced jalapeños
21 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
22 - Grated cheddar cheese

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, approximately 6-8 minutes.
02 - Add the diced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
03 - Stir in the minced chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the mixture thoroughly.
05 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, halved cherries, rinsed black beans, and rinsed kidney beans. Stir to combine all ingredients.
06 - Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
07 - Taste the chili and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or spices to your preference.
08 - Serve the chili hot, offering optional garnishes like chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or grated cheddar cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just one hour from start to finish
  • Uses pantry staples with just one special ingredient cherries
  • Perfect make ahead meal that tastes even better the next day
  • Creates minimal dishes with its one pot approach
  • Naturally gluten free and dairy free before toppings
02 -
  • High in protein with 30g per serving making it excellent for active lifestyles
  • Naturally gluten free and can be dairy free without optional cheese toppings
  • Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months for convenient meal prep
03 -
  • Toast whole spices like cumin seeds and grind them fresh before adding to intensify the flavor profile. I learned this technique from a spice merchant who changed how I approach seasoning entirely.
  • For a thicker chili mash about one quarter of the beans before adding them to the pot. This natural thickener creates a heartier texture without additional ingredients.
  • Let the chili rest off heat for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and deepen. This brief resting period makes a noticeable difference in the final taste experience.

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