Spicy Turkey Habanero Crock Pot Chili

4.12
(
34
REVIEWS)
PREP:
20 minutes
TOTAL:
3 hours 20 minutes
SERVES:
16
JUMP TO RECIPE
Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 56

We had our annual thanksgiving potluck at work earlier this week, and the question everyone asked was “Derek, are you bringing your chili?!” It’s become expected every year that I bring it now. This time around I wanted to change it up a little. My spicy crock pot chili is spicy. But it could be spicier, and we have some dietary restrictions at work so I decided to use some Turkey and crank up the heat with some habanero and alter the spices a little. It was such a hit I had to post it! If you can handle the heat, then this is the spicy chili recipe for you!

 

As I was driving this chili to work, sitting next to me in the crock pot, my eyes were watering and I was sneezing from the habanero pepper. Thisย crock pot chili is ridiculously spicy, and super delicious! As you eat it you get disappointed at first and think “ehh it could be spicier” then the next thing you know, the habanero creeps up on you and you’re sweating and mouth is on fire. At least for me. One of the guys at work, who can tolerate ghost pepper topped it off with some more habanero and had no problem eating it. I’m too much of a sissy to handle that!

And if you’re skeptical about the use of turkey in the recipe don’t be. You can’t tell the difference either way, it’s healthier, and if you’re trying to make some excuse to use turkey, here you go! You couldย even just replace this with some leftover turkey from thanksgiving. Sure.. why not?!

Prep Tips

Keeping it Spicy

I’ve learned that when slow cooking, there’s something that happens to peppers when cooked for a long time. They tend to break down, and you lose a lot of spice. So what I suggest is using half of the habanero at the beginning for flavor, then at the end stir in the rest for the heat. That seems to be a winner every time I do that when slow cooking spicy dishes.

Cook Tips

Low vs High Crock Pot Heat

I prefer to cook this low and slow, it lets the beans and tomotoes break down really nicely. If you’re in a time crunch, cut the time in half and cook on high. Again add the other half of habanero in before serving to keep the heat nice and high!

On To The Recipe

Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 56

Spicy Turkey Habenero Crock Pot Chili

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 16 people
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Chili Spice

  • 4 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Chili Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 2 clove garlic
  • 1 whole habenero pepper
  • 30 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 32 oz Pinto Beans
  • 32 oz Kidney Beans

Instructions

  • Mix all the Chili Spice ingredients together. With a toddler spoon. It really helps blend it together!
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 13
  • Brown the ground turkey, chopping it up with a mixing spoon while it browns to break it down; drain as much fluid as possible.
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 15
  • Chop the onion and mince your garlic.
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 16
  • Moving the turkey aside, brown the onion and garlic in the same pan/skillet (optional: add a tbsp of olive oil while cooking down the onion and garlic)
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 17
  • Thinly slice and chop about half of a habenero pepper
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 18
  • Mix the habenero along with about 3 tbsp of Chili Spice into the meat and onion; set aside.
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 19
  • take 16 oz of kidney beans (drain can almost completely) and blend for 1-2 minutes until you can a bean paste.
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 22
  • Place the meat in a 6qt crock pot and set the temp to low..
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 21
  • Add the remaining kidney beans, bean paste, pinto beans and diced tomatoes.
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 23
  • Top off with another 3 tbsp of chili spice
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 24
  • Cook for about 5-6 hours on low, or 3 hours on high. Taste it in the last hour, and add more chili spice to taste.
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 25
  • In the last 20-30 minutes add the remaining habenero pepper (chopped up) into the chili to bring the heat! Enjoy!
    Habenero Turkey Spicy Crock Pot Chili 50

Derek Campanile
Derek Campanile
I'm an IT professional by day. Home cook for the family by night. Follow my blog for easy to make recipes, how-to's and ideas to gather the family at the dinner table!

8 Comments

  1. Debee says:

    Is this correct, 32 oz ea. pinto and kidney ? Also 30 oz of tomatoes? Please help would like to try this recipe asap! Thanks

  2. Paulette Burgos says:

    Derek, what size of crock pot did you use?

  3. Ilona K. says:

    I love anything spicy and this recipe is perfect for me. Today I just posted Mexican Buffet menu ideas on my blog. I just like Mexican food. So delicious!

  4. Love my slow cooker. Spicy not so much. But still might have to try this!

  5. Turkey really does take to chili and spices very well. YUM on your version!

  6. I can’t handle spicy but would grab my water and sit through this.. Looks so good.

4.12 from 34 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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