We put a spin on traditional chili by making Roasted Poblano Turkey Chili using ground turkey and roasting a few select peppers.

Chili is such a comforting food and one we can change up with the seasons. It’s perfect to take camping, to the cabin or prepare for a gathering.
If you love your chili as much as I do try creating a chili bar putting out all your favourite toppings and offering a variety of chili. When we host a chili bar everyone has the best time trying new flavours and most have never even considered chili toppers. When they try them, they love the options!

If you follow along you know I’m a cook once, eat a couple of times kind of gal. When I cook up a batch of chili I want to have leftovers so I can use them in other dishes.
The next time you make chili cook extra. Use as a topping on baked potatoes, create chili macs in leftover burger buns or make your hot dog chili dog. Dollop some chili into hard taco shells and add your favourite chili toppers or add a little chili to a wrap and roll it up burrito style – you could even add rice.
Ever try chili stuffed in peppers and baked?! I’ve even put some into grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas.
While I love the flavour chili offers, I also enjoy my toppers. They offer new flavour dimensions, textures and take your chili game up a notch. Similar to taco toppings simply prepare a few and put out for your guests to try. My family is getting more adventurous with toppers and in some case demanding. Except one. He still prefers his chili with cheese and that’s it.
PRO TIPS
- You are going to get some mild heat from the jalapenos. If you want spicier keep membrane and seeds or add hot pepper flakes or additional jalapenos as toppers.
- We use white kidney beans also known as cannellini beans
- If you don’t have ancho chili powder, use regular chili powder
- This recipe is Gluten-Free
Looking for new chili recipes to love?! Try our Bacon Turkey Chili, Vegetarian Black Bean Chili or Slow Cooker Beef Chili.

Ingredients
- 2 poblano chiles
- 1 jalapeno
- Olive oil
- 1 medium red onion or 1 ¼ cup, diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ancho chili powder
- 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 398 ml can fire roasted or diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 540 ml can white kidney beans
- Salt and pepper
- Aluminum foil
- Toppers [chopped]: bell pepper tomato, red onion, avocado, cilantro, fresh or pickled jalapeno, zucchini, jicama, crushed gluten free taco chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. Drizzle olive oil on poblano and jalapeno peppers, place on parchment lined baking sheet and roast until blistered, about 35 minutes, turning regularly. Remove to bowl and cover with aluminum foil. Let sit for 10 minutes to steam. Peel skin by holding stem and pulling skin off. Cut out membrane and toss seeds. Cut into large pieces. Set aside.
- Over medium high heat add olive oil to pot and toss in your onions. Turn heat down and cook for about 10 minutes. When onions are soft, add garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in red pepper. After a few minutes mix in the oregano, cumin, both chili powders and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add your turkey and cook until browned.
- Make a hole in the middle of your pot by spreading your ingredients to the outer edges. Add tomato paste in the middle stirring until combined with all ingredients. Drop in diced tomatoes and chicken broth stirring to scrape up any bits on the bottom. Let simmer 15 minutes.
- Stir in beans, poblano and jalapeno peppers. Let cook an additional 10-15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Pour into bowls and garnish with your favourite toppers.
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