White Bean Turkey Chili

Name: White Bean Turkey Chili (Fast + Easy Recipe!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs ground turkey; 2 ½ tsp kosher salt (divided use); ½ tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 ½ cups finely chopped onion; 2 tbsp minced garlic; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp chili powder; 2 cups chicken broth; 2 4-oz cans diced green chiles; 3 15-oz cans white beans drained and rinsed; 1 cup heavy cream ((or half-and-half or milk)); ¼ cup cornstarch; 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen); 1 lime cut in wedges (optional, for serving)

By Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

No ratings yet

Updated Apr 20, 2026

Pin Recipe Jump to Recipe

This creamy White Bean Turkey Chili is cozy, satisfying, and ready in 35 minutes with simple ingredients. I keep it bookmarked for busy weeknights!

White bean turkey chili topped with corn, cilantro and avocado in a bowl.

I love cozy ground turkey recipes like this one. I have a feeling you do, too, so you must also try my favorite easy ground turkey soup!

White Bean Turkey Chili Ingredients

Here’s what goes into this easy white bean chili recipe:

Ground turkey: Leaner and lighter than a ground beef chili con carne recipe, but still hearty.
Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Spices: Ground cumin, coriander and chili powder. Add a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for more heat.
Chicken broth
Canned diced green chiles: I love the mild heat and brightness they add. You could sub salsa verde like I use in my chile verde.
White beans: I usually go for cannellini beans, pinto beans or white kidney beans.
Heavy cream, half-and-half or milk. Cream is the tastiest, but milk is lighter.
Cornstarch: Thickens the broth into a proper chili consistency.
Corn: Sweet pops of texture in every bite. Skip if you prefer.

Full recipe quantities listed in recipe card at the bottom of the article.

Variations and Substitutions

This white chili recipe is flexible and can be adapted to what you have on hand.

Different protein: Swap ground turkey for chicken like my healthy white chicken chili, cream cheese chicken chili and green chicken chili recipes.
Dairy free: You can swap in barista oat milk or try my classic ground turkey chili recipe for a hearty tomato-based sauce instead.

How to Make White Bean Turkey Chili: An Easy Guide

This is a quick stovetop recipe. Try my Turkey Chili Instant Pot recipe and Crockpot Turkey Chili recipe, too!

Sauté the Onion and Spices

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion with a pinch of salt and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Let the spices bloom for a minute to deepen their flavor.

Brown the Turkey

Add the ground turkey and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no pink remains. This step builds the savory base of the chili.

Add the Broth, Chiles, and Beans

Pour in chicken broth. Stir in diced green chiles and beans. Bring everything to a simmer and cook about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the flavors come together.

Stir in the Corn

Mix in the corn kernels, if using. I really love them here. They balance the heat from the spices and green chiles and add fun pops of texture.

Make it Creamy and Thick

Separately whisk cornstarch into the cream (or milk) until smooth. NEVER whisk cornstarch into hot liquid.

Slowly stir this slurry into the simmering chili. Let it cook a few more minutes uncovered until the broth thickens and turns creamy. Taste and adjust salt if needed.