White Chili Bistro
A hearty, flavorful white chili with turkey, beans, and aromatic spices, perfect for comforting gatherings and fans of savory, mild chili dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin ⓘ
- 2 pounds cubed turkey ⓘ
- 1 pound ground turkey ⓘ
- 2/3 cup pearl barley ⓘ
- 2 (1-pound) cans rinsed chicken peas ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon minced bottled jalapeno peppers ⓘ
- 6 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried savory ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons arrowroot ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook over medium heat until soft the chopped onion, minced garlic, and vegetable oil.
- Add ground cumin and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add cubed turkey and ground turkey. Cook until the meat isn't pink.
- Add pearl barley, rinsed chicken peas, minced jalapeno peppers, chicken broth, dried marjoram, and dried savory. Cook for 45 minutes.
- Add arrowroot dissolved in water and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and sliced green onions.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth, consider using smoked paprika instead of ground cumin. If you're short on time, pre-cooked turkey can be used to speed up the cooking process. You can also substitute quinoa for pearl barley if you prefer a gluten-free option. Adjust the heat by varying the amount of jalapeno peppers according to your taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the white chili topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and sliced green onions for a burst of flavor. It pairs excellently with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For a delightful twist, offer a side of Rice And Zucchini Casserole Or The Serendipity Casserole to complement the chili's richness.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to maintain moisture. This chili also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of White Chili Bistro contains roughly 1149 calories, with 30g protein, 200g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (210% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (65% of the Daily Value), and protein (60% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 567mg per serving (25% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chili vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian by replacing the turkey with plant-based protein such as lentils or chickpeas. Additionally, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain the flavor while keeping it meat-free.
How spicy is this recipe?
The level of spiciness can vary based on how much jalapeno you add. The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of minced jalapeno, which provides a mild to medium heat. You can adjust this amount to suit your spice tolerance or replace it with a milder pepper if desired.
Can I add other vegetables to this chili?
Absolutely! Feel free to add diced bell peppers, corn, or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly if you add more vegetables to ensure everything is cooked through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).