Healthier Game Day Chili

Hello friends!  The “big game” is just around the corner and I have a confession:  I love the Super Bowl because of the food.  That’s the reason for football, right?  Good food?  Anyone else agree?  It’s not uncommon to find me filling my plate during the game only to run back to the television to catch the commercials.  Call it un-American but that’s ok with me.

Here is another confession:  I love chili.  It’s a hearty, feel-good meal that warms you from the inside out.  When the cold weather rolls in, chili is one of the first things I crave.  It never fails to make great leftovers either.  Honestly, 2 day old chili really is better than freshly made chili.

The secret is in the toppings.  My favorites are turkey bacon, green onions and only a little bit of avocado (since it’s not ideal for low FODMAPs).  Red onions are always delicious if you’re not following a Low FODMAP diet as well.  My husband likes a mound of cheddar cheese and crushed Fritos.  But let’s get real, there is no right answer.  Pile them high for optimal satisfaction.

5 Reasons I love this chili:

1. I usually have all the ingredients on hand so its easy to make. I understand that chili is already easy to make, and this one is no exception.  If you want to make your life even easier, put everything in a slow cooker after browning your turkey and let it simmer for a couple of hours.
2. It can feed an army.  Whenever we have a ski trip or camping trip, chili is a go-to recipe for everyone to enjoy.
3. It’s easy to make ahead of time.  You can eat it all week-long or take it to that Super Bowl party in a couple of days.
4. So many ways to eat it!  Pile on baked potatoes or create a taco salad.  A friend of mine likes hers on top of gluten-free angel hair pasta.  The options are endless!
5. It’s just plain yummy!

In an effort to stick with foods that make our tummies feel good, I have taken my mom’s traditional chili and replaced the beans with fresh bell peppers.  But you won’t miss them.  This chili is just as hearty and flavorful.  If you have been following my blog for a while, you know we rarely eat beef.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t swap out the turkey for some grass-fed beef.  It’s a great source of heart-healthy omega 3’s.  And if you need a little more spice in your life, you can add more chili powder for that extra kick.  You do you!

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Healthier Game Day Chili (Paleo • Low FODMAP • Whole 30)

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 6 People

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 4 Tbsp Chili Powder Divided
• 1 4 oz. Can Diced Green Chilis I use mild. Don’t drain
• 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced
• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper Diced
• 1 14.5 oz Can Diced Tomatoes
• 2 15 oz Can Tomato Sauce
• 1 Cup Chicken Broth
• 1/2 Tsp Cumin
• 1/2 Tsp Paprika
• 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
• 2 Tsp Nutritional Yeast
• 1 Avocado (Only 1/8th for Low FODMAPS)
• 2 Salks Green Onion
• 2 Slices Turkey Bacon

Instructions

1. Brown turkey in a large pot with olive oil.  Mix in 1 tbsp. chili powder and green chilis.  Add red and yellow peppers and cook about 5 minutes or until soft.

2. Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, 3 tbsp. chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano and nutritional yeast. Simmer for about 30 minutes.  I like mine pretty mild but you can add more chili powder for more spice.

3. Place turkey bacon on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Cook in the microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds. You can add another 30 seconds if the bacon is not fully cooked. Note that it will become more crispy after cooling.

4. Serve and top with avocado, green onion and crumbled turkey bacon. Enjoy!