Jalapeño Popper Chili
A smoky, spicy chili packed with jalapeños and bell peppers, simmered to perfection without dairy. Freezes beautifully for quick weeknight meals. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 40 minutes pairs pound ground turkey, medium jalapeños, medium red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 medium jalapeños
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 small red onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground turkey, breaking it into small crumbles, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 2 medium jalapeños (seeded and finely diced), 1 medium red bell pepper (diced), and 1 small red onion (diced) to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened and onions are translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant and garlic is golden.
- Step 4: Add 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring once, until flavors meld and vegetables are tender.
- Step 5: Season with salt to taste and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jalapeño Popper Chili take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Jalapeño Popper Chili?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound ground turkey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Jalapeño Popper Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Jalapeño Popper Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Jalapeño Popper Chili?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many mexican recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
