Panera Turkey Chili (Copycat Recipe)
This Copycat Panera Turkey Chili recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional beef chili. With interesting ingredients like ground turkey, edamame, and chickpeas this chili has an amazing depth of flavor that will warm you up on cold nights.
I don’t know about you but there is nothing that I love more a rainy fall or winter night than a steaming bowl full of hearty chili. Loaded with nutrients and flavor this meal is sure to satisfy your whole family. if you are looking for a different chili recipe to try, check out this Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Chili or this Chickpea Stew recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll This Recipe
- It’s a great way to enjoy this Panera Bread favorite without ever having to leave the house.
- You only need simple ingredients so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money at the grocery sot make this stove-top chili recipe.
- This chili is nutritious and packed with protein, which will keep you full longer (Healthline).
- It’s a hearty and comforting one-pot meal so it’s perfect for nights when you are looking for something simple to make yet filling.
Would you prefer a meatless chili to serve your meal? If so, then you are going to want to add this Easy Homemade Vegetarian Chili to your meal plan this week.
Ingredient Needed
This is a list of the simple ingredients that you will need to help you make this smoky ground turkey chili recipe. You can find the full ingredient list and amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of this recipe.
- ground turkey – I use 93% lean which is why you may need a little oil to brown the meat.
- olive oil
- onion
- carrots
- minced garlic cloves
- chicken broth
- salsa verde – if you have time to make your own, you’ll love this.
- diced tomatoes
- chickpeas
- kidney beans
- edamame – use frozen or canned. This adds lovely texture and flavor to this chili.
- Spices – chili powder, ground cumin, coriander, Salt and black pepper
- lime juice
- chopped fresh cilantro
How to Make Panera Turkey Chili
Step 1: Saute the diced onion, diced carrots, and minced garlic until soft.
In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, diced carrots, and minced garlic, sautéing until softened.
Step 2: Cook the ground turkey.
Add the ground turkey to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients and seasonings.
Add in the chicken broth, salsa verde, diced tomatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans, and edamame. Add the ground chili powder, cumin, and coriander to the pot with the turkey.
Step 4: Simmer the chili.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 5: Add the lime juice and adjust your seasonings to taste.
Add lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed. Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes until the chili reaches your desired consistency.
Step 6: Garnish with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime.
Serve with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime on the side.
What To Serve With This Dish
This healthy turkey chili makes a delicious meal all on its own or you can pair it with a side of your favorite homemade bread like this Cheddar Jalapeno Beer Bread recipe. Or you can also pair it with a loaf of homemade cornbread.
Substitutions and Additions
There are plenty of ways to customize this Panera Turkey Chili recipe to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Swap out the ground turkey for other times of ground meat such as ground chicken or ground beef.
- Add in extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or a cup of corn.
- Make it spicier by adding more chili powder, cayenne pepper, chipotle peppers, or red pepper flakes.
- For extra flavor and seasoning in your hearty chili, you can add additional seasonings and warm spices such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cocoa powder.
- For a thicker consistency, you can add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water to the chili and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
How To Store
Storage – This chili will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Y
Freezing – You can freeze this chili in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and then heat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Reheating – To reheat, simply warm it up on the stove over medium heat until heated through. Alternatively, you can use an Instant Pot or slow cooker to reheat the chili.
Sandra’s Pro Tips
Here are a few of my favorite tips to help ensure that you get a batch of good chili every time you make this hearty recipe.
- I’ve found that using fresh garlic cloves gives this recipe the best flavor. However, if you are in a pinch you can use the jarred kind instead.
- There are so many great garnish options for this great recipe some of my favorites to use are diced sweet onion or red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh parsley, or even crushed tortilla chips.
- In my opinion, dark red kidney beans are the best choice for this recipe. It helps add color and flavor to the chili without altering it too much like other beans can.
- If you are cooking with fat-free or lean ground turkey, you may need to add a little olive oil or butter to your Dutch oven to prevent the meat from sticking while it browns.
FAQS
Do you have questions about this delicious recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Yes, garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same bean. Garbanzo beans are simply another name for chickpeas.
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Simply follow the directions through step 3, then transfer all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Yes, chili freezes beautifully, I recommend that you freeze it in freezer bags or a freezer-safe sealed container like Chinese takeout soup containers.
Other Delicious Copycat Recipes You May Enjoy
- Copycat Panera Greek Salad recipe
- Copycat White Castle Sliders
- Copycat Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola
Panera Turkey Chili Recipe
Equipment
- large Dutch oven or stock pot
- wooden spoon
- ladle
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups salsa verde https://www.thefoodieaffair.com/tomatillo-salsa-verde/
- 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can 15 oz chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup edamame shelled
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro optional
Instructions
- In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, diced carrots, and minced garlic, sautéing until softened.
- Add the ground turkey to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon and cook until browned.
- Add in the chicken broth, salsa verde, diced tomatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans, and edamame. Add the ground chili powder, cumin, and coriander to the pot with the turkey.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.
- Add lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes until the chili reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.