Recently I purchased my first crock pot. Honestly, before a few weeks ago I thought that my first crock pot would be a non-registry gift from an ancient aunt at my future wedding. My preconceived notion of this kitchen device was that it was used to cook large, fatty slabs of meat for hours on end. However, after watching a coworker heat up a delicious and healthy mixture of lean meat and veggies which she later told me was a crock pot concoction, I became a believer.
After doing my own research on healthy crock pot recipes, I decided to take the plunge and make the purchase. One of the most appealing recipes I found was for a simple turkey chili. I decided, however, to bulk it up with some extra vegetables and garlic.
Ingredients:
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chickpeas, undrained
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained
- 1 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 (16 ounce ) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 green zucchini, chopped
Directions:
- Cook turkey in a pan over medium-high heat with the onion
- Chop carrots and zucchini
- Add all ingredients to the crock pot and cook on high for 6-8 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
It was great to come home after a long day away to find a fully cooked meal ready for us. Mike and I walked to Whole Foods and picked up a baquette and sat down for a delicious, healthy meal! And, the recipe made enough for leftovers!
Try it for yourself and let me know how it turned out!
OMG, you will be hooked! Yes, they do create some unhealthy things every now and then, but there is something about coming home and feeling like someone has been cooking for you all day long! The house smells amazing and there is a hot meal awaiting you… and I am not big on left overs, but crock-meals somehow taste better the next day, and the day after! I love making all sorts of chili and soups in mine and even a butternut squash soup on thanksgiving each year. You will seriously become hooked!
Sounds delicious and simple! Even I can make this!
This looks so yummy, that I am going to the shops and substitute turkey for chicken – it is a blustery rainy cold day here in little NZ and perfect for your delicious recipe – you have me inspired! and oh love your tweets, it keeps me inspired to keep doing my sit-ups as they’re the only thing I can do without my arthritis giving me a hard time in the gut as it is having a great time in my ankle, knees, shoulder and elbow l.o.l.
Hi Nicole,
I made your chili turkey crockpot dinner and substituted turkey with chicken… and was o.k but…… wow!!! the chili overpowered everything and erm wondering is 1 Tablespoon of chili correct? I have popped my dinner into containers and will be using them as a base for the next dinners and not use any chili l.o.l. and just pop in all the other ingredients as a new dinner 🙂 would love your thoughts, Barbs
Yes the recipe called for TWO if you can believe it! I only use one….. but maybe other may want to not use it at all if they dont like spicy food! Thanks for the feedback!
A pleasure Nicole and loved your blog today about your 43mile ride – your so brave! I must build up the courage to get back on the road with my bike thats clamped into the windtrainer – hopefully my knees won’t swell now being late spring and heading into a glorious summer, to entice me back on the road again – I have to get over my fear, having not ridden it since 2006 …. and also want to say I love your blogs 🙂
You can do it! You will always surprise yourself in your ability to go beyond what you think you can do! And THANK YOU for the compliment on my blog 🙂