Description
Spicy Buffalo Turkey Chili is a flavorful, hearty one-pot meal combining ground turkey, smoky spices, and hot sauce with creamy cheese and refreshing toppings. This comforting chili balances heat and creaminess, perfect for a cozy dinner served with tortilla chips and fresh garnishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 3 cups red enchilada sauce
- 2–4 cups bone broth
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or melted cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lots of salted tortilla chips
For Serving
- Additional plain yogurt
- Avocado slices
- Chopped green onions
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics and turkey: Melt the salted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, chopped yellow onion, poblano peppers, celery, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook together for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is browned and the vegetables are softened.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the hot sauce, red enchilada sauce, and 2 to 4 cups of bone broth depending on desired consistency. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for at least 10 minutes. For deeper flavor, simmer longer, up to several hours, adjusting broth as needed.
- Add dairy and cheese: Stir in the plain Greek yogurt or melted cream cheese until fully incorporated, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and the chili is creamy and thickened.
- Finish with fresh herbs: Remove the pot from heat and fold in the chopped cilantro for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with salted tortilla chips. Add a dollop of yogurt, avocado slices, chopped green onions, more cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice to finish. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Simmering the chili longer enhances the flavor depth and tenderness.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity according to preferred spice level.
- Substitute bone broth with chicken broth if unavailable.
- Use Greek yogurt for creaminess with protein or cream cheese for richer texture.
- Serve with tortilla chips to add a crunchy contrast to the creamy chili.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat on stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo turkey chili, spicy chili recipe, creamy chili, ground turkey chili, easy stovetop chili, spicy comfort food
