Copycat Panera Turkey Chili

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Panera Turkey Chili is a favorite in our house! You can make this hearty, chunky chili at home in no time! Filled with 10 different vegetables along with ground turkey – you will love every bite and it will taste just like the restaurant version!

What You Will ❤️ About Panera Turkey Chili recipe

I love how many vegetables are in this chili – this isn’t just meat & beans! You’ve got the usual suspects like onions and tomatoes – but then Panera Bread gets crazy with tomatillos, chick peas and edamame!

Panera Bread Turkey Chili Ingredients

This Chili has quite a list of ingredients but that’s what I love – it’s definitely not your “normal” chili. That said – if you don’t have 1-2 – it’s fine to leave them out! 😉 Here’s what you’ll need:

Ground Turkey – I went for regular ground turkey – not turkey breast – to have a little more fat in the meat
Veggies
- Onions – you’ll want to use sweet yellow onion
- Carrots
- Tomatillos – I used fresh for these – you could use 1/4 cup of green salsa if you want a short cut
- Chick Peas, drained (or Garbanzo beans)
- Diced Tomatoes
- Tomato Paste
- Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained – use any kinds of beans you like – kidney, pinto, black
- Green Chilies – canned diced green chilies here
- Edamame – I bought frozen pods, heated in microwave and shelled
- Whole Kernel Corn – I used a drained can of corn
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Salt
- Ancho Chili Powder – could also use other chili spices like chili powder, chipotle, cayenne pepper or blend them together!
- Cumin
- Onion Powder
Pantry
- Olive oil
- Chicken Broth – you could also use vegetable, turkey broth or beef broth
- Molasses – you could substitute with brown sugar
- Corn Starch
Garnish
- Fresh Cilantro
- Lime Juice

How to Make Turkey Chili like Panera

While the recipe has a lot of ingredients – it’s really simple to make! We do take a couple of extra steps to make it special by roasting the tomatillos and thickening the chili with mashed beans. Let’s get started:

Turn broiler on high, then line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Remove the husks and stems from the tomatillos and wash them thoroughly (they’re sticky!) Cut them in half and place them cut side down on the foil, then char under the broiler until darkened, roughly 15-20 minutes. (or 12 minutes in the air fryer.)
Remove tray from the oven and let cool 5 minutes. Place tomatillos in a blender and puree for 30 seconds. Set aside.
Preheat Dutch oven or a large pot on medium heat on stove top.
Add oil, turkey, onion, carrot and garlic and cook 15 minutes chopping and stirring often.
Add roasted tomatillo puree, 1/2 can of chick peas, 1/2 can kidney beans, chicken broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, green chiles, edamame, corn, salt, chili powder, cumin, onion powder and molasses and mix together.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 20 minutes.
Take remaining beans, remaining chick peas, corn starch, 1/2 cup liquid from chili and place in blender and pulse into a thick paste. This helps thicken the chili so it’s just like Panera’s version!
Add paste to chili in dutch oven and stir
Cover and cook 20 minutes more
Serve with cilantro, lime juice, cheese, sour cream, diced red onion, and avocado

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Tips, Tricks & FAQs

Does Panera still have turkey chili?

Yes – it is seasonal – so when the leaves change – you can usually find turkey chili at the restaurant. Or just make it whenever you want with this recipe!

What does Panera Turkey chili have in it?

It’s loaded with goodness! You’ve got ground turkey – plus – tomatoes, onions, carrots, edamame, kidney beans, chick peas, green chilies, corn and tomatillos. There are also seasoning and staples like chicken broth, molasses, ancho chili powder, salt, garlic, cumin, onion powder and corn starch.

Is Panera’s Turkey Chili spicy?

No – when you feed the masses – you don’t risk making it spicy. But at home – you can make it as spicy as you like! Add more of that delicious Ancho chili powder or hot green chilis for more spice!

Does Panera Turkey chili have dairy?

Nope – just soy from the edamame.

How do you make turkey chili thicker?

I used two techniques for thickening up this chili. I reserved 1/2 can of chick peas and 1/2 can of kidney beans and pureed them with 1/2 cup liquid from the chili. I also add corn starch to this mixture. Then – pour that back into your chili for a thicker mix!

How many calories are in Panera Turkey Chili?

There are 200 calories in a cup of Panera’s Turkey Chili. Mine has 361 but it’s much more packed with veggies than the store-bought.

How do you store and reheat leftover turkey chili?

Store leftovers in airtight containers (I like these glass ones) and refrigerate up to a week – or in the freezer up to three months. Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

Recipe Variations

Protein – this recipe obviously uses ground turkey but you could easily substitute ground beef, chicken, pork – or even leave it out all together!
Spice Level – This chili is fairly mild, ramp up the spice by adding fresh hot peppers when you saute the onion and carrots or add more chili powder later in the recipe. You could also sprinkle in red pepper flakes.
Slow Cooker – Brown the turkey, onion & carrot – then add the rest to a slow cooker and cook on low for four hours.

What to serve with Turkey Chili

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