Gluten-free Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples is smokey with a hint of cinnamon. Warming, mouthwatering, and ready in 30 minutes!
Fall is in the air, and Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples is simmering on repeat on my stove.
This smokey, spicy chili with a hint of sweet on account of the tart chopped apple inside and don top of each bowl is unique and delicious — plus it goes from fridge to table in 30 minutes!
Lean ground turkey is sauted with tart diced apple, spiced with smokey chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, then simmered with tomato sauce, chicken broth, and wait for it – apple cider.
SO FALL.
There’s a hint of cinnamon in this chili too, which provides a delicious, warming aroma with each spoonful.
Start the chili by cooking 1lb 99% fat-free ground turkey with 1 peeled and chopped Granny Smith Apple, and 1 large shallot (or 1 small onion.) Season with salt and pepper then cook until the turkey is no longer pink. Add fresh garlic then saute for 1 minute.
Granny Smith apples are very tart and crisp, providing great texture and flavor in this chili, but not sweetness.
Next add lots of chili-riffic spices including 2 chopped chipotle chilies in adobo sauce + 1 Tablespoon sauce, and 2 teaspoons each chili powder and cumin.
Next add in 1 cup chicken broth, 1 can tomato sauce, and 1 cup apple cider, which gives the chili amazing flavor.
‘Tis the season!
Finally add 1 bay leaf and 1 cinnamon stick which adds a very subtle cinnamon flavor to the chili. Like I said, you smell it more than you taste it, which I think is amazing.
Let the chili simmer and bubble for 10 minutes or so, then top with lots of sharp cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and freshly diced tart apple!
If you like chili, this is definitely one recipe to add to your repertoire.
I love how smokey it is from the chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, which you can get in a can in the Mexican-foods aisle in the grocery store, and the tart apple both in the chili and top was really something to write home…or, you!…about. Enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb 99% fat-free ground turkey
- 2 Granny Smith apples, 1 peeled and both chopped
- 1 large shallot or small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper
- 2 gluten free chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon adobo sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup apple cider, not apple juice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla chips
Directions
- To a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat add the turkey, peeled chopped apple, and shallots. Season with salt and pepper then cook until turkey is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Add garlic then cook for 1 more minute. Add chopped chipotle chilies and sauce, chili powder, and cumin then stir and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add tomato sauce, chicken broth, apple cider, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick to the pot then turn heat up to high and bring chili to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium then cook for 10 more minutes. Scoop into bowls then top with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Chop remaining apple (do not peel) then sprinkle on top.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Made this two times now and it has been really spicy! Any suggestions on how to lessen the heat?
Hey Kristin! First of all, I love your blog and make one of your recipes at least once a week. However, I just wanted to point out that this recipe serves closer to 3 or 4,not 6.I made it when some friends came over for dinner and it was BARELY enough food for the four of us. Good thing I’d made your honey jalapeño corn bread too. :) I think you just forgot to change how many it serves when you adapted the recipe from Rachael Ray.
Hey Danielle! I’m glad you ended up having enough for everyone! The recipe makes enough for 6, 2-scoop (ish!) bowls which is why I listed it as 6 servings.
I guess we’re just big eaters then :)
Have you ever had one of those days that you are just so crazy you do things without even realizing? While making this recipe for dinner I used 1 cup of apple cider VINEGAR instead of deliciously sweet apple cider. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!? Needless to say it was very acidic :(
Wow! Made this last night and it was DELICIOUS! I added black beans for a little more fiber. Can’t wait to make it again. :)
OMG, when I first read this post I was a little apprehensive to try it. I am used to making a very hearty and meaty chili, so the idea of using turkey and apples made me say “hmmmmm….” Well, let me say, I made this chili tonight and my family and I LOVED IT, we couldn’t get enough of it and it will definitely be made again, real soon. Thanks for sharing. I am in the process of starting my own food blog and I gain lots of inspiration from your site. Keep up the good work.
Yeah, uptown is not very hip anymore! It’s now completely yuppie (and so am I so whatever) – I lived there 9 years ago when it still had a hint of grunge (but was already turning). Now the true hipsters live in NE Mpls or Seward.
Made this for dinner last night and it was amazballs! Paired nicely with cheddar beer bread. Love the flavor!
Just made this for dinner tonight, and it was a HUGE hit! Will be adding to my fall rotation for sure.
Hi! Long time reader, first time commenter. I made this chili recently. It was so good and extremely easy to make. This would be perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
I did not have an extra apple, so I topped it with some avocado and sour cream. My husband loved it too and requested I add this to our regular recipe rotation. :-)
OMG!! Your little angel is just the cutest baby!! My kids are in HS & college now. Really miss those days. Soak it up!! The years fly! Can’t wait to make the chili this evening. Looks de-lish!!
This was amazing and very easy. My picky husband ate 2 bowls and took leftovers to work! I never told him what was in it but said it was very tasty! Love the blog!