Happy Monday, everyone – I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
I had a “me day” on Saturday which included getting together with some girlfriends in the morning then spending what felt like 2 hours at Whole Foods. Like I said – a “me day”! Grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do, and when I get to leave the sweet babe at home and do it leisurely – umm, even better. ;)
We also grazed on Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili all weekend long. I made a huge batch of it Thursday evening and it just got better and better each time I reheated a bowl!
Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili packs a double protein punch from the addition of both lean ground turkey breast and quinoa. A little sweet from chopped sweet potatoes and a can of baked beans, plus a little heat from classic chili spices makes this dish ultra-tasty, healthy, and filling.
Plus, how you gonna hate on any recipe that calls for topping it with shredded cheese and tortilla chips? I must confess, making chili always gets me a little giddy as it’s basically an excuse to eat nachos. As if I needed an excuse, but you know what I mean!
Start by browning 1lb ground turkey breast with 1 chopped shallot in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I KNOW – I usually hate crock pot recipes that require cooking steps ahead of time, but it’ll only take a few minutes. Promise! Season liberally with salt and pepper then stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
Add the cooked turkey to the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot then add 1 large peeled then chopped sweet potato (about 1lb) and a bevy of chili-inspired spices including chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and red chili pepper flakes.Â
Next add a 15oz can of baked beans (I like ’em sweet) plus 28oz crushed tomatoes.
Finally add 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup uncooked, rinsed quinoa. The quinoa will continue to absorb chicken broth as the chili cools, so make sure you have some extra on hand for re-heating.
Mix the ingredients together then pop the lid on top and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours. That’s it!
Ladle the hot and hearty chili into bowls then top with lots of shredded monterey jack cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and fresh avocado.
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Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili
Description
Gluten-free Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili packs a double protein punch with the addition of both lean ground turkey breast and quinoa.
Ingredients
- 1lb ground turkey
- 1 large shallot or 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth (plus extra for reheating)
- 28oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15oz can baked beans (I like sweet baked beans)
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1 large sweet potato (about 1lb,) peeled and chopped small
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- Toppings: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, chopped avocado, tortilla chips, green onions
Directions
- Add ground turkey and shallot to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season liberally with salt and pepper then cook until no longer pink, breaking turkey up as it cooks. Add garlic then cook for 30 more seconds then add to a 6 quart crock pot. Add remaining ingredients, except toppings, into crock pot then cook on high for 3 hours, or low for 5-6 hours, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Serve with toppings. May need to add more chicken broth when reheating.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Warm, and ultra-filling – I hope you’ll love this chunky chili with loads of good-for-you ingredients!
Kevin @ Closet Cooking 01.15.2014
Great looking chili!
Noelle 01.15.2014
This chili was fantastic! Thank you again for the recipe. Do you think it would freeze well?
Kristin 01.15.2014
I think/hope so – I’ve got some in there right now!
Noelle 01.15.2014
Great, I will give it a go!
Bailey 01.15.2014
Thanks for this unique, sweet and spicy chili recipe! I made it last night, and hubby and I both loved it. We are glad to have lots of leftovers, and my husband said this meal needs to become a regular at our house! I read your blog all the time and most of the recipes I try are yours, so my husband and I both thank you for all the delicious meals we’ve enjoyed. :-)
Alexandra Aimee 01.15.2014
Yumy, this looks amazing, and I am always on the hunt for new crock pot recipes! Thank you for sharing :)
— Alex at Brainy Girls Beauty
Erin Iossi 01.14.2014
Made this chili tonight and it was delicious!! Thanks for the recipe. Never thought to put sweet potatoes in a chili recipe before, but they tasted soooo good! Added a real creamy texture to the dish. I’m hosting a baby shower Friday morning and using all IGE recipes (Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, Semi Homemade Caramel Cinnamon Rolls, and Mini BLT Quinoa Cups). Looking forward to trying all of these recipes! Keep up the great work!! Love your blog!
CakePants 01.14.2014
Sweet potatoes in chili – I’d never have thought of that myself, but it sounds fantastic! I love all the colors in this dish!
Tanya Winston 01.14.2014
What a wonderful idea- just think of all the fabulous things that go in without a worry.
Noelle 01.14.2014
I’m always looking for new quinoa recipes, this is perfect! In fact, I have it in the crock pot right now and it smells wonderful. I didn’t use sweet potatoes as my husband doesn’t care for them and used pinto beans instead of baked beans. I’m sure it will be just as good. Thanks for the recipe!
Janice 01.14.2014
Yum!! I may have to half this recipe, but it looks like a wonderful winter treat!
Stephanie Rowe 01.14.2014
Thank you for this recipe and also for the opportunity to win this Crock-Pot which looks absolutely amazing! Crossing fingers!!
alison 01.14.2014
Quick (maybe silly) question:
do you need the stirring crock pot to make this recipe??
Also, how do you know which quinoa to buy?
Kristin 01.14.2014
Definitely not a silly quinoa! You absolutely do not need a stirring crock pot to make this chili – any crock pot will do! Also, you can buy any quinoa you want – I usually stick with the regular kind (not red, black, etc.!)
Lauren 01.14.2014
Oh you silly quinoa ;)
Kristin 01.15.2014
Bahahaha omg I am losing it!
Nancy A. 01.14.2014
Thank you for making this giveaway easy to enter! I don’t like the ones where you have to have over a hundred entries earned! This is a beautiful crock pot and digital! My dream! Plus, the stirring would be great!
Katie @ The Surly Housewife 01.13.2014
I love doing any type of shopping sans children. It feels like a vacation lol. I used to hate just wandering around stores and now with 2 little girls I can’t wait to do it :)
Amazing looking chili and who knew they make stirring crock pots?! Genius :)
Molly 01.13.2014
would love to try the recipe– looks delish! Also was excited to enter the giveaway , but can’t see the voting widget you speak of! Is it my computer?!?!
Kristin 01.15.2014
Hey Molly! Are you using Internet Explorer? If so, this widget may not show up on it!
Trish 01.13.2014
I’m kind of a recent quinoa convert and am always on the lookout for new ways to use it. I’ll have to give this a try!
Tiffany 01.13.2014
Thanks for the recipe Kristin! I made it tonight and I am thoroughly enjoying it as I type this. Delicious!
Sheryl 01.13.2014
I would love this crock pot! thanks for the giveaway
Barbie Lane 01.13.2014
Love a healthier version of Chili!! BTW, not keen on baked beans, could you substitute black/pinto beans?
Stephanie Hanson 01.13.2014
So let’s just say hypothetically your husband HATES baked beans…is there another type of beans that would work well? Chili beans with no meat maybe? I mean…hypothetically speaking ;-)
Kristin 01.13.2014
Haha! I’d use a can of rinsed/drained black beans instead!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life 01.13.2014
There’s just something so comforting about chili, and I love that this one is healthier! I’ll take any excuse to dig into my monster bag of quinoa. :)
And man, how cool is that Crockpot!!