Happy Monday! Hope you had a nice weekend!
Well our first road trip with baby in tow went surprisingly well, actually! We only had one, pull-the-car-over-on-the-side-of-the-road-type meltdowns on the way to Minneapolis, and a smallish one on the way back. He saved all the meltdowns for when we got home on Saturday, you see. Sheesh! ; )
Seriously though, I thought the conference went really well on Friday and it was so nice to be back in Minneapolis, if only for a bit. I wasn’t that sad when I moved away almost 5 years ago, but found myself getting very nostalgic this weekend. Maybe it’s because my life is so completely different now than it was when I moved there fresh out of college. I had so much fun in that city in my early 20s!
On Friday night we spent the evening having dinner with some wonderful friends, then Saturday we hopped over to our favorite brunch place, Uptown Diner, before hitting the road back home. I had wanted to take a walk around nearby Lake Calhoun, my old running trail, but it was rainy and grey.
Hot coffee and a huge order of Cinnamon French Toast was the perfect antidote. Uptown Diner is one of the first places I ate at when I moved to Minneapolis, and it was the last place I ate at before moving back to Iowa. There are fancier places, for sure, but it holds a special place in my heart. : )
Speaking of trendy – holy cow, Uptowners – I hardly recognized the place! Uptown was super hipster and kind of old (for lack of a better word, and in a good way) when I was there, but it’s sort of becoming all shiny and new. Tons of modern condo buildings (that block the view of downtown from Stella’s Rooftop – not cool!) and fancy restaurants to choose from. Don’t get me wrong, at my age it’s stuff I find appealing, but it’s very, very different than it was just 5 years ago. Weird.
Anyway, due to the rain we decided to split and spent the rest of Saturday resting at home. On Sunday we had the whole gang over to celebrate my Mom’s birthday! Sweet Finn helped Uncle Ben deliver Grammy’s cake.
Then blow out the candles!
Here’s to another wonderful year to an equally as wonderful Mom. I’d be ecstatic to be half the Mom she is, has been, and always will be!
Now, before we left last week I saw an Instagram from my cousin featuring a big bowl of Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples and it sounded so mouthwatering that I just had to whip up a batch ASAP. I’m glad I did because between the rain and chill in the air, it was Heavenly to reheat and cozy up with all weekend!
Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples sounds like a crazy combo, which it is I suppose, but it totally works. If you dig unique chilis then you will absolutely love this one. It was my first pot of chili this season and I’m glad I gave the honor to this recipe – which goes from fridge to table in 30 minutes!
Lean ground turkey is sauteed 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. Oh, there’s a hint of cinnamon in this chili too, which is so cool! You can’t really taste it, rather it provides a delicious, yummy 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. Oh, add some fresh garlic in there too!
Now don’t be scared thinking the apple will make your chili sweet (although there’s nothing wrong with that – my all-time favorite chili recipe is Signature Spicy, Smokey, Sweet Chili!) 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.Â
I had leftover chipotle chilies in adobo sauce from the Pulled Pork Taquitos I made last week, so it was perfect timing to make this chili!
Next add in 1 cup chicken broth, 1 can tomato sauce, and 1 cup apple cider, which gives the chili amazing flavor. I’m dying to try this with hard apple cider.
‘Tis the season!
Finally add 1 bay leaf and 1 cinnamon stick. I was hesitant to add the cinnamon in this recipe, but it adds a very subtle flavor to the chili. Like I said, you smell it more than you taste it, which I thought was 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!
Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples
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 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
Instructions
- To a large soup pot over medium-high heat add turkey, the 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 boil. 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.
If you like chili, this is definitely one recipe to add to your repertoire. I absolutely loved how smokey it was 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. Hope you enjoy!
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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.
[…] Okay, normally Tuesdays have nothing to do with turkeys – I just like using alliteration. Â But yesterday I made some of Iowa Girl Eats Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples. […]
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!
Made this yesterday and used beef instead of turkey since we have lots of ground beef in the freezer. Turned out great! We ate it all in 2 meals :) My husband doesn’t like beans (texture man) so I was happy to find a recipe that didn’t include them!
A chili recipe that is!
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[…] I had originally planned on making a pumpkin based chili for dinner, Kristen’s Chipotle Chili Turkey With Apples caught my eye during my morning blog peruse, and I just couldn’t […]
This makes me miss MN and Minneapolis so much!! I’ve heard Uptown had become quite the popular place. I have been making all sorts of soups since the weather is full-on fall here.
HUGE hit with my husband, who sneaked up on it and ate it without the chips, cheese or apples on top…and I didn’t get any. Had to lick the pot. I will be making it again tomorrow — sooooooo good!
When I first opened up your page. The inner 5 yr old said ugh… not so sure about apples and chili. But it looks delish, will definately be giving it a try.
Doesnt traveling with an infant just make traveling that more adventurous??? Lol. When we went on a little two day road trip I think we packed up his entire room! :)
I never would have thought to add apples to chili but it adds a nice “Fall touch.”
P.S. I went to college in the Twin Cities and I’m dying to go back and visit my friends and family!
I was all set to make pumpkin chili (what can I say? I’m in Fall mode!), but then I saw this delicious looking recipe, and my plans changed immediately. Can’t wait to try it out tonight and post on the blog tomorrow.
Love your recipes!