Slow Cooker Turkey & White Bean Chili
Creamy, hearty white chili made with lean ground turkey, tender cannellini beans, mild green chiles, and melted Monterey Jack in the slow cooker.
slow-cooker Timer
Set for 360 mins @ LOW (200°F / 93°C)
Ingredients
Base recipe calibrated for 6 adults.
Get to the Point Execution
Brown 1 lb ground turkey with onion and garlic in skillet for 5 minutes; transfer to slow cooker.
Add 2 cans drained cannellini beans, 2 cans mild green chiles, cumin, oregano, and 2 cups chicken broth.
Mash 1/2 cup of beans with a fork to naturally thicken.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours; stir in 1/2 cup sour cream and shredded Monterey Jack.
Step-by-Step Guided Instructions
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add 1 lb 93/7 ground turkey, 1 diced yellow onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté 5 minutes, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon until browned. Transfer directly into slow cooker.
Browning the ground turkey first builds rich roasted poultry flavor before it hits the slow cooker broth.
Add 2 cans (15 oz each) rinsed and drained cannellini (white kidney) beans, 2 cans (4 oz each) diced mild green chiles, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Diced green chiles add smoky southwestern depth without making the chili spicy for kids.
Scoop 1/2 cup of the white beans into a small bowl, mash smooth with a fork, and stir back into the slow cooker. Pour in 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth. Stir well.
Mashing a portion of the beans releases natural starches that thicken the white broth into a rich velvety stew without needing flour or cornstarch.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours (or HIGH for 3.5 hours). In the final 15 minutes, stir in 1/2 cup sour cream (or 4 oz cream cheese) and 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese until smooth and creamy. Ladle into bowls and top with crushed tortilla chips.
Turn heat to LOW or WARM before stirring in dairy so the sour cream blends smoothly without curdling.
This is completely distinct from traditional red beef chili. The combination of mild green chiles, cannellini beans, ground turkey, and a swirl of sour cream produces a silky white chili with huge protein macros that tastes like it came from a Colorado ski lodge.
Serve with plenty of shredded Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla chips for scooping.
- Warm cornbread with honey butter
- Tortilla chips and salsa
- Side salad
Reheat in a pot over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.