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!
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Emily 01.31.2014
I gave this recipe a try and it was a huge hit!!! Instead of the second salt and chili flakes I used Ghost pepper salt fusion, 1/4 teaspoon it added just a bite of spice without being over the top. Recipe was awesome!!! Thank you :)
Amber 01.30.2014
Do you have any tips of rinsing quinoa or could you do a back to basics on it? I tried using a cheese cloth lined strainer but felt like I lost so much quinoa because it stuck the the material. I tried scrapping it off with my hand and then it got stuck to my hand. It was a rough morning prepping the crock pot :/
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[…] thermos) Leftover Quinoa Sweet Potato Turkey Chili (made with black beans) from Iowa Girl Eats. That stuff is delicious. I got the recipe from Leigha’s […]
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[…] Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili – We did kidney beans instead…my husband love, love, loved this dish! […]
BZC 01.23.2014
Did you use yams or sweet potatoes? You’re picture looks like yams (orange) so it made me curious. Also, I usually like to cook over the low heat, but didn’t have time so did it on high for 3 hours and it definitely was not ready. The quinoa didn’t seem done and the sweet potatoes were still crunchy. Any thoughts?
Kristin 01.24.2014
It was a sweet potato. Hmmm, I’m not sure, I’d just cook it longer until the quinoa and sweet potato are cooked through. Different crock pots cook differently so yours might just need a little extra time!
Deborah 01.22.2014
I tried this recipe this past week. I went in hesitantly because of the non-traditional chili ingredients, but I’m happy to report it was very good! My family, who are sometimes a bit finicky thought it was good and would eat it again. Me, on the other hand, I thought it was amazing! I already had ground bison cooked up, so I used that and looked for the baked beans in the store with the least amount of sugar (my husband doesn’t like the sweetness). This is a keeper! Thanks!
Katie 01.22.2014
I made this recipe this past weekend and it turned out perfect!
Jessica 01.22.2014
This looks delicious!! Do you have an easy way of cutting up sweet potatoes? I always find challenging and tough to cut through :( thanks!!
Kristin 01.22.2014
Ugh, they are so hard aren’t they! My best piece of advice is to just use a good, sharp knife!
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[…] Quinoa + sweet potatoes + turkey + a slow cooker looks like a very good idea. […]
Jennifer Leung 01.21.2014
Hi! So happy I stumbled upon your site. I’ve been trying to find ways to eat healthier and all the ingredients that you list here are conveniently the ones in my pantry! Would you be able to suggest other beans as pairings? Could I use great white or garbanzo beans and do they have to be baked first? My guess is no since everything is going into the crockpot? Thank you forthe recipe.
Kristin 01.22.2014
I would use cooked black beans in place – or even cannelini or Great Northern beans. Really anything you like could work. I might add a touch of brown sugar if you want the sweetness that baked beans bring to the chili.
JL 01.22.2014
Thank you for the suggestions, Kristin! I am going to give it a whirl. Excited! :-)
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LORI JABLONOWSKI 01.20.2014
YOU SAY THIS CHILI SERVES A CROWD – WONDERING ABOUT HOW MANY SERVINGS DO YOU MEAN? I AM HAVING 9 FRIENDS FOR LUNCH – BEING IT’S WINTER AND VERY COLD I THINK THIS RECIPE SOUNDS PERFECT (PLUS WE ARE ALL TRYING TO EAT HEALTHY!)
I’D LIKE TO KNOW IF I’LL HAVE EXTRA FOR MY HUSBAND TO EAT FOR DINNER THAT NIGHT.
THANKS!
Kristin 01.22.2014
If you have 9 woman and a husband to feed, I’d probably make 2 batches!
Cathy 01.19.2014
We made this today and it is wonderful! My husband is on bowl 2 and says “keeper”!
Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A. 01.19.2014
Yum, this chili looks amazing! I made a similar one without quinoa but I will def add it next time. And Guac-Kale_Mole?! What a concept. I love it!
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[…] Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili via Iowa Girl Eats. I’ve loved every recipe I’ve tried off IGE, and this one looks like another reason I need a crock pot. […]
leigha@minougirl 01.17.2014
WHERE is that placemat from? It is so cute! I’ve been looking for one just like that forever! This chili looks absolutely delicious. I think I’m gonna have to make some this weekend!
Kristin 01.17.2014
It’s actually just a swatch of burlap-y material from the fabric store! :)
Jenny 01.17.2014
Made this last night-my hubby and I LOVED it!!! Super-filling and great for a cold winter’s night! I forgot to add the onion at the beginning so I sauteed it quick and added at the end-I think added a little more sweetness! Will be making more batches of this for sure!
AmberLynn Pappas 01.16.2014
I made this last night for my family, but used left over chicken from a huge bird I’d roasted earlier this week. My 3 year old ate an entire bowl! He’s a great eater anyway, but he commented over and over again about what a great dinner it was. He thanked me almost ten times for making it. That is very unusual for him, so THANK YOU! At least one of those ten belongs to you for the recipe. I hope that Lincoln likes it as much when he gets older.
Holly C 01.16.2014
Just tried this recipe! I added quartered brussel sprouts too and it was delicous!!! Many of my favorite things in this chili, and it wasn’t overloaded with heavy meat or too many beans! Thanks for sharing!