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Creamy White Turkey Chili

Get out your soup pots, it's chili season! This White Turkey Chili is filled with ground turkey, white beans, chili spices, sour cream, and cheese, and is one of our family favorites. We love to serve it topped with Fritos or tortilla chips for a bit of crunch!

Creamy White Turkey Chili in a black bowl topped with Frito's and diced green onions.

If you're looking for an award-winning white chili recipe, I happen to have just what you're looking for! Or perhaps you're looking for a go-to Sunday chili for those cold winter months. Or maybe a football watching white chili recipe to cozy up with? Whatever your cause is, this Creamy White Turkey Chili is IT.  This turkey chili is topped with Fritos so how could it not be fabulous?!

This white turkey chili recipe can be made on the stovetop and slow cooker and either way is super easy and quick to make. If you're looking for an Instant Pot chili, we also love my Instant Pot White Chicken Chili!

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Ingredients

  • Ground Turkey - this recipe is made with ground turkey and I recommend using 93/7 turkey for a little bit of fat. Either way, ground turkey is a great lean meat that adds protein and flavor to this recipe. If you're looking for a traditional turkey chili, also check out my Slow Cooker Turkey Chili.
  • Garlic - fresh garlic adds delicious garlic flavor to this chili recipe.
  • Onion - you can use white onion or yellow onion.
  • Diced Green Chiles - mild or medium will both work. Just use whatever spice level you prefer.
  • Canned Cannellini Beans - this white chili recipe with turkey uses 3 cans of cannellini beans. You could also use navy beans, great northern beans, or pinto beans, too.
  • Chicken Broth - chicken stock will also work.
  • Spices - Cumin, chili powder, and dried basil. These spices give it classic chili flavor, and the addition of basil gives it a bit of sweet savoriness.
  • Cayenne Pepper - this is optional! I rarely add it anymore because, kids.  But if you like a bit of heat with your chili, add it to your liking!
  • Red Pepper Chili Flakes - again, with kids I don't add it but it does add nice heat.
  • Sour Cream - sour cream is combined with the soup to make this white turkey chili recipe super creamy and delicious.
  • Shredded Colby Jack Cheese - a whole 3 cups of shredded cheese go into this chili to make it creamy and cheesy.
  • Fritos - not optional.  It absolutely is necessary for this chili! 🙂
  • Chopped Green Onions - also for topping and I love the flavor they add.

Variations

Different beans. You could also use navy beans, great northern beans, or pinto beans.

Different meat. Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, ground beef, turkey breast, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or rotisserie chicken. Even leftover turkey meat from Thanksgiving would be a great option! If you're looking for a soup with Italian sausage, check out my Sausage Lentil Soup.

Swap sour cream for Greek Yogurt. Just be sure to use whole milk Greek yogurt.

Swap the Fritos. If you prefer, tortilla chips also work instead of Fritos!

Additional toppings. I like adding green onions but diced jalapeños, sliced avocados, sour cream, and

Recipe Instructions

I always make this white chili recipe on the stove, but you can also make this recipe in a slow cooker, too. Either way, this is a very easy chili recipe!

  1. In a large soup pot, add the ground turkey and brown over medium-high heat, breaking it up into smaller chunks as it cooks.
  2. Once the turkey is cooked, add the butter and onion.

3. Cook the onion for 5-7 minutes, until the onion is softened.

4. Add the garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.

5. Add the cannellini beans, broth, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes, and stir well to combine.

6. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 25 minutes. This cooking time is flexible and you can simmer it up to one hour on the stovetop if you have the time.

7. After it has cooked, remove 1 cup of the broth and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the sour cream to the broth.

8. Whisk together until smooth. Note: this is a very important step! It ensures the sour cream does not curdle when it is added to the soup.

9. Add the sour cream mixture back to the soup pot and let it cook another 5-10 minutes.

10. Stir in the cheese until melted. Serve and enjoy!

Large soup pot with white turkey chili and a wooden spoon in the pot.

Slow Cooker Version

Brown the turkey in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into smaller chunks as it cooks. Add all of the ingredients except for the sour cream and cheese to a slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 4 hours.

When there is 30 minutes remaining, remove 1 cup of the broth and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the sour cream to the broth and whisk together until smooth. Add back to the slow cooker and let it cook another 30 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Creamy White Turkey Chili

Use 93/7 ground turkey. You can use 99/1 but I prefer the taste of the 93/7 - the fat adds a richness to the meat and the soup that is important! I also always use 93/7 when I use ground turkey in casseroles, like my Turkey Enchilada Casserole.

Combine the sour cream with a little of the broth before adding to the soup. By adding 1 cup of broth to the sour cream, it will help the sour cream incorporate into the rest of the soup better. I've added the sour cream without doing this and, while it still tastes delicious, the sour cream sort of separates from the broth and it doesn't look quite as creamy. I also use this technique in my Vegetarian White Chili!

Shred your own cheese. Buy a block of Colby Jack cheese and shred it on your own. It will melt nicer into the soup, opposed to the pre-shredded kind. Believe me, I really don't like shredding my own cheese but the extra step is worth it!

Load up the toppings. As is the case with most chili recipes, like my Slow Cooker Beef Chili, the toppings are almost as important as the actual chili! Frito's and green onions are our favorite toppings but other delicious options are tortilla chips, diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, lime juice, and more shredded cheese.

White turkey chili in a black bowl topped with Frito's and diced green onions.

Recipe FAQs

How should I store leftover chili?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Why is it called white chili?

It is white chili because it does not contain diced tomatoes as a base. In addition, instead of ground beef, this recipe uses ground turkey for protein.

Can this recipe be doubled?

This recipe can be easily doubled by simply doubling the ingredients. Keep in mind you may need two large soup pots.

Other Chili Recipes to Consider

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.

Creamy White Turkey Chili

Creamy White Turkey Chili

Creamy White Turkey Chili is a comforting chili recipe made with ground turkey, white beans, sour cream, and lots of cheese!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 401kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ½ white onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 14 oz cans of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 ounces canned diced green chilies
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground basil
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional - I only add this when I'm not serving it to my kids
  • ½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional - I only add this when I'm not serving it to my kids
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 3 cups Monterey Jack/Colby shredded cheese
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • Fritos for topping
  • chopped green onions for topping

Instructions

Stove Top

  • In large soup pot, cook the ground turkey on stove top until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. 
  • Add 2 tablespoon butter to the pot and add the onions. Cook, stirring frequently ,until translucent, about 5 minutes.  
  • Add the garlic and cook one more minute.  
  • Add the beans, chicken broth, chilies, cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, and chili powder.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-30 minutes. 
  • After simmering, remove 1 cup of the broth and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the sour cream to the broth and stir together with a whisk or a fork until well combined. This step will ensure the sour cream doesn't curdle/separate once added to the chili.
  • Add the broth/sour cream mixture back to the soup pot and stir to combine.
  • Stir in the shredded cheese and cook until melted.
  • Serve topped with more sour cream, green onions, and Fritos!  
  • Enjoy!

Slow Cooker

  • In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium heat, breaking it up into pieces as it cooks. Note: you don't need the butter doing the stovetop version.
  • Transfer the turkey to the slow cooker, along with the onion, garlic, beans, broth, green chiles, and spices. Season with salt to taste.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
  • When there is 30 minutes left, remove 1 cup of broth and transfer it to a medium bowl. Add the sour cream and whisk to combine.
  • Add this mixture back to the slow cooker and cook another 30 minutes.
  • Add the cheese and stir until melted.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • If you are making this in the slow cooker, you will not need the butter, as you just add the onions to the slow cooker instead of sautéing them on the stovetop.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Omit the cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes if you want a mild chili. 

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 473mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1345IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 471mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @greensnchocolate to let me know!
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Recipe Rating




  1. I have made this chili more times than I can count - it's just that good! Definitely a family favorite.
    Don't forget the Fritos and a little extra shredded cheese for topping.
    Making it today to watch the game - go Hawks!:)

  2. Delicious! Perfect amount of spice and creaminess gosh I love it ! Thanks so much for sharing with the world!

  3. 5 stars
    Love this chili, I’ve made it several times now. And, yes, the Fritos are so good on top. A couple times I’ve used two cans beans and 1 can of refried beans and it makes the chili extra creamy. I add fresh cilantro if I have it, too. Thanks for the recipe.