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Spicy Buffalo Turkey Chili. This chili is perfect for game day, family dinners, and all the chilly nights ahead. It’s made with quick-to-cook ground turkey, enchilada sauce, hot sauce, poblano peppers, and spices, plus a touch of creaminess to balance all the spice. It’s so delicious. Top each bowl with plenty of cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, avocado, and, of course, lots of salty, crunchy tortilla chips. And a squeeze of lime is delicious!
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Happy Halloween! If you’re a longtime follower, you probably know that I love Halloween. It’s such a fun holiday that really has no stress. Everyone, no matter their age, has the opportunity to be someone new for the day. Dress up, maybe host a party, or hand out candy, and definitely sneak in a few pieces of candy, too!
I’m excited because, in between all the work travel, I actually get to be home for Halloween this year. My little brother, Oslo, is dressing up as Batman, and I can’t wait to see him before he heads out tonight. He is so excited!
Something I always looked forward to as a kid was heading back to my grandparents after trick-or-treating for dinner. Usually, Nonnie would order pizzas for everyone, or she’d make a big pot of her chili. Some years, she’d just make both!
As a kid, I loved both pizza and chili, but her chili has always felt like the perfect Halloween dinner. I try to continue her tradition and always make chili or a cozy soup on Halloween night!
My family will never turn down a pot of chili. I made a double batch and froze half for later this month! Soups and chilis have been my go-to recently, and I’m trying to stock the freezer!
Onto the Details
Ingredients
- salted butter
- ground turkey, or use ground chicken, whatever you prefer
- onions
- poblano peppers
- celery garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- chipotle chili powder
- hot sauce
- red enchilada sauce
- broth
- yogurt
- cilantro
- fresh squeeze of lime juice
Special Tools
None! A big chili pot is all you need, plus customary items like a cutting board, a sharp knife, and a spatula.
Steps
Step 1: brown the turkey
In a big pot, start cooking the turkey with butter, onion, poblano peppers, and some celery. If the celery sounds odd, I encourage you to give it a try. It’s a classic with buffalo sauce. My dad actually took the time to call it out and say that he doesn’t usually like celery but that it was really good used in this chili!
We love to hear that!
Step 2: almost everything else
Now add the hot sauce, enchilada sauce, and broth and give everything a big stir.
Ideally, you let the chili simmer a few hours, but if you only have 10 minutes, that will work too. The more time to slow cook the more flavorful the chili.
Step 3: add the yogurt and cheese
When ready, mix a dollop of yogurt and a handful of cheese into the chili. The yogurt adds a nice creaminess to the chili and helps to cut down the spice level.
Always lots of cilantro tossed in at the end.
Finish this up!
Chili toppings are the best part. Because this is a mix between buffalo-style chili and tortilla soup, I knew salted, crunchy tortilla chips would be great!
I like to serve this chili with a handful of sharp cheddar cheese, yogurt, avocado, cilantro, chips, sea salt, and lime juice!
Everything came out so good! I’ll be making this throughout the fall and winter months!
I also love using turkey in this. I usually cook with chicken or beef, but this was a nice change! We really enjoyed it!
And at Thanksgiving, you could even use the leftover turkey for the chili. That would be great, too.
Looking for other warming winter dinners? Here are a few ideas:
Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Better For You Chicken and Spinach Ramen
Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken
30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken
Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Buffalo Turkey Chili, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Buffalo Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 3 cups red enchilada sauce
- 2-4 cups bone broth
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or melted cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- lots of salted tortilla chips
- yogurt, avocado, and green onion, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the turkey, onion, poblano pepper, celery, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes until the turkey is browned all over. 2. Add the hot sauce, enchilada sauce, and broth. Simmer for 10 minutes or up to all day. The longer you can cook, the more flavor the chili will have.3. Stir in the yogurt or melted cream cheese. Add the cheddar cheese. Cook for 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro4. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla chips. Then, finish as desired with a dollop of yogurt, avocado, green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This recipe has infinite options based on what you have or what’s in your store, but the template is perfect to personalize it. Went with what I could do at Trader Joe’s and it’s fabulous! Thanks for always having a quick and satisfying meal ready to go on a cool evening with a gorgeous photo to inspire!
Hey Jennifer,
I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well! Happy Holidays! xxT
Spicy and delicious! This is a keeper! I made it with ground chicken.
Hey Kimberly,
Happy Holidays!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you making it! Thanks for your comment:) xx
I made this with leftover turkey and it was amazing. I appreciate your incredible recipes and turning ho-hum meal into something delicious and tasty. You’re inspiration helps me every week.
Hey Colleen,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xxT
Great flavors in this recipe. My family loved it. Served it with homemade tortilla chips.
Hi Gina,
Amazing! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it and your comment! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! xx
Could you make this in the slow cooker?
Hey Carolina,
Totally, that will work nicely for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
How long would you put this in the slow cooker for?
Hi Brianna,
I would do 4-6 hours on low. I hope you love this recipe! xx
I’m making this right now! So excited to try it. Do you use beef or chicken bone broth for this?
Hi Shaelee,
I like to use chicken broth, but either one will work. I hope you love this recipe, thanks for making it! xx
Looks delicious. If I have premade buff sauce on hand, can I sub it in for the hot sauce? Or hot sauce and enchilada sauce? Thanks in advance.
Hey Cody,
Totally, I would use it for the hot sauce! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Ooh! This one’s tasty! Will be perfect for making nachos. Thanks!
Thanks so much!!
This dish is awesome but when I added the cream cheese it clumped together. Is there any suggestion to help with that?
Hi Barb,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe!! Was your cream cheese warm? That really helps to prevent the clumping. I hope this helps for next time! xT
Amazing recipe!!!
Followed it to a T except I added some black beans (we were overflowing)
Love the flavor profile and just the right amount of spice
Yay!! So glad to hear this, Sheridan! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment! xx
Great recipe with great spice and flavor! Would like to try adding white beans next time I make it
Hey Sammie,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! XxT
As with every recipe you post, this was a huge hit. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Francis,
Happy Sunday!🍂🍁 Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well! x
I was wondering if you had a recipe to make Enchilada sauce? I’m planning on making this tomorrow, and I don’t have any! Thanks!
Hi Rachel,
So sorry, I do not, I really love Siete brand! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Thank you so much for this, I made it today instead of tomorrow, and it tastes AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing:) xx
Thanks so much, Rachel!!
Easy, flavorful, I am in LOVE with this!!!!
Hey Gena,
Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed. I appreciate you giving it a try and your feedback! Have the best day! XxT
Would a jalapeno work if I don’t have a poblano?
Hey Morgan,
Totally, that will work nicely for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Made this tonight and it was amazing! Used 1/3 cup buffalo sauce and added macaroni noodles to make chili mac. Will definitely make this again!
Yay!! Thanks so much, Marsha! So glad this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for trying it out! XxT
Thoughts on using ground beef instead of turkey?
That would be great!