Slow Cooker Taco Spice Chili

In between all the dessert and cookies lately, I’ve been depending on my slow cooker at suppertime. My crockpot typically sits in the pantry, but it now claims a permanent spot on the counter. You see, my oven is always preoccupied. (Looking at you, cookie addiction.) Dinner doesn’t stand a chance in there. In fact, I even started making my baked chicken teriyaki in the slow cooker. Put it all in the crockpot. Cook 6 hours on low. Then shred the chicken. Cook 1 more hour. OH SO TASTY teriyaki. ♥

Slow cookers save the day for most of us; they make life easy. Dinner is already on its way once breakfast is over. A slow cooker helps us feel like we have our act together. A slow cooker feels like magic.

And chili… that’s magic too. It’s a staple meal because it requires little thought and prep. There’s only 2 of us, so leftovers feed for days making it one of the most convenient and practical options. Slow cooker chicken chili is typically our chili choice, but lately I’ve been switching it up for a new variation. Similar flavors, but meatier and chunkier with bolder, brighter, zestier flavors. This taco spice chili is relatively healthy and packed with quinoa, lean ground turkey (you can use beef!), sweet potato, and veggies.

If you have 20 minutes, you can prep this meal and move on to the next item on your to-do list. *Crossing fingers that item is cupcakes for dessert.* The first step is to cook the ground meat. Do this on the stove in a super hot pan. Oil and heat it first, then drop the meat in. Right before it’s fully cooked, add taco seasoning.

You can make your own taco seasoning or buy it from the store. You’ll need 2 Tablespoons for the meat and 2 Tablespoons for the chili. If using store-bought packets, 2 packets is enough for the entire recipe.

There’s also black beans and corn for a southwestern feel (**Chili’s style**), green pepper, onion, tomatoes, sweet potato, and quinoa. Sweet potato is optional, but adds another texture and makes this a heartier dish. I add quinoa toward the end of cooking time. This is optional too, but here’s why quinoa is a good idea: it soaks up a lot of liquid so the chili is thicker, chunkier, more delish.

There’s a fiesta of bold spice flavor in the chili, too. Flavor’s most definitely kicked into high gear when you add 2 more Tablespoons of taco seasoning, some ground cumin, jalapeño, and chili spice.

Bring it home with a big satisfying scoop. Make sure you serve this with skillet cornbread!

More Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls


• BBQ Turkey Meatballs


• Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate


• Chicken Chili


• Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

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Slow Cooker Taco Spice Chili

• 
  Author: Sally


• 
  Prep Time: 15 minutes


• 
  Cook Time: 8 hours


• 
  Total Time: 8 hours, 15 minutes


• 
  Yield: serves 10-12


• 
  Category: Chili


• 
  Method: Cooking


• 
  Cuisine: American

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Description

Let the crockpot do all the cooking for dinner with this crazy flavorful slow cooker taco spice chili recipe!

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Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil


• 2 pounds 92-97% lean ground turkey (or beef)


• 4 Tablespoons taco seasoning, divided (2 standard packets or make your own!)


• 2 (14 ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes, drained


• 1 (7 or 8 ounce) can tomato sauce*


• 2 cups chicken broth (I use reduced sodium)*


• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced


• 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced


• 1 large green bell pepper, diced


• 1 (14 ounce) can corn (drained and rinsed) or 1 package of frozen corn


• 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed


• 1 small jalapeño, minced (remove seeds and ribs)³


• 1 Tablespoon ground cumin


• 1 teaspoon chili powder


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1 hour before finishing: 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground meat. Cook for 4 minutes, then add 2 Tablespoons of taco seasoning. Using a wooden spoon, break the meat up as it cooks. Allow it to cook completely, about 4-5 more minutes. You want it completely cooked.


2. Transfer the cooked meat to a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. (Here’s one I own and love!) Add the remaining ingredients– including the remaining taco seasoning and except for the quinoa. Stir everything together until combined. Cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.


3. Stir in the quinoa. Cook for 1 more hour on low or 30 more minutes on high.


4. Serve chili warm topped with chopped green onion, shredded cheese, and/or sour cream. And serve alongside my favorite cornbread! Keep leftovers in a large tupperware in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave.

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Notes

1. Freezing Instructions: Chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and heat in a large pot on medium heat for 20-30 minutes.


2. Tomato Sauce: You can use homemade tomato sauce instead of canned.


3. Broth: You can use vegetable or beef broth instead of chicken broth.


4. Spiciness: If spicy isn’t your thing, leave out the jalapeño! Or add more based on how spicy you like things.


5. No Slow Cooker? No Problem! Follow recipe through step 1. You can cook the meat directly in a very large pot or dutch oven and just use that to cook the chili too. Once meat is cooked, add the remaining ingredients except for the quinoa. Stir everything around until combined and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the quinoa and cook for 10 more minutes. Serve warm.

Keywords: slow cooker chili, taco chili, crockpot chili

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