COPYCAT PANERA BREAD TURKEY CHILI RECIPE (HEALTHY)

Chock full of lean ground turkey, veggies, and SO much flavor, this hearty copycat Panera Bread turkey chili recipe will fill your stomach and warm your soul. 

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 Copycat Panera Bread Turkey Chili Recipe (Healthy)

You’re either a soup lover or you’re not and I’m a SOUP GIRL TO THE CORE! Fun fact: one of my first ever arguments with my then boyfriend (now husband) was whether soup is considered a meal.

This disagreement was such a memorable one for us that it came up in our premarital counseling. Our pastor told the story on our wedding day. Haha. 

I grew up in a soup family and hearty soups and chilis like this one were on regular rotation for dinner. My husband grew up in a “soup is an appetizer” family so he was never overly excited when I’d whip up soup for dinner.

Over time, given that I’m the most frequent cook in our family, he’s grown accustomed to soup as a meal and now loves a hearty chili like this one.

If your family is like my husband, feel free to serve this chili “Panera style” with a baguette, a salad, or a half sandwich on the side! 

WHY THIS COPYCAT PANERA BREAD TURKEY CHILI RECIPE WORKS

• All In One Meal: This recipe is perfect when you want to incorporate all the food groups into one. Starchy beans and corn, lean protein from ground turkey, and an assortment of veggies makes this a well-balanced meal for the whole family.

• Incorporates Veggies: Finding yummy ways to incorporate different vegetables for my family is one of my #1 goals in the kitchen. This soup is full of color and nutrients from the variety of vegetables incorporated. I followed the ingredients in the Panera chili but feel free to add others you love! I often add zucchini and bell peppers to this chili as well. 

• Reheats Beautifully: This turkey chili recipe makes a large portion and it reheats beautifully either on the stove or in the microwave. It even freezes great so you can cook once and eat again on a busy night! Future you will thank current you for being so kind and thoughtful. This is also a great recipe for dropping off with a friend or relative since they can reheat it at their convenience. I made this recently when my mom was visiting and was thrilled that she wanted to take a batch home with her to eat for the week!

• Easy to Make: While this recipe has a longer list of ingredients than most I make, it still comes together easily. Simply brown your meat and veggies, add seasonings and broth, simmer, and you’re good to go! 

• Tons of Flavor:  This recipe isn’t lacking in flavor at ALL! The garlic, onion, and spices combine to make a smoky, semi-spicy chili that your taste buds will love. My kids (4 and 2) DO love chili but they think this one’s a little spicy. You can tame it with a bit of cheese, sour cream, or greek yogurt for anyone sensitive to spice or reduce the amount of spices in the recipe to taste. 

• Affordable: I’m a Panera Bread lover but taking my family there for a meal can be quite pricy. I love that for the cost of a few small servings of this soup I can make a HUGE batch that will serve my whole family multiple times. 

INGREDIENTS:

• Lean Ground Turkey: I use 93% lean ground turkey, but you can use what you have! I’m sure this would be delicious with ground chicken or lean ground beef as well.

• Beans: A combination of kidney beans and chickpeas adds variety in flavor and texture. 

• Broth: I use chicken broth but turkey or veggie would also be great! 

• Edamame: Thaw frozen shelled edamame for ease! Tip: my grocery store often only has the option in the shell. One bag of the in-shell edamame generates close to one cup of shelled.

• Tomatoes with Green Chiles: Rotel or store brand works just fine! 

• Onion: Choose a LARGE onion for this recipe! Or two small ones. 

• Carrot: Dice one large carrot. I often substitute shredded carrots if I have them on hand.

• Corn: Canned or frozen works great! 

• Tomato Paste: This adds a great base of flavor to the broth based soup. 

• Spices: A savory blend of cumin, chili powder, rosemary and more. See below recipe card for the full list of seasonings. 

HOW TO COOK COPYCAT PANERA BREAD TURKEY CHILI:

1. Heat dutch oven or large soup pot to medium heat
2. Add 2T avocado oil
3. Add onion and carrot and saute until soft (approximately 5 minutes)
4. Add turkey and cook through. Drain if needed.
5. Add spices and tomato paste, mix and cook 3 minutes.
6. Add beans, corn, veggies, tomatoes, lime juice, and broth. 
7. Simmer for at least 30 minutes – but the longer the better.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Add your favorite toppings such as sour cream or plain greek yogurt, shredded cheese, crackers or tortilla chips.

Make your favorite sandwich or soup on the side. I love grilled cheese or greek salad but choose your favorite Panera copycat soup or sandwich to make!

STORAGE

This soup can be stored sealed in the refrigerator for up to approximately five days and can be stored in the freezer for approximately three months.

To store in the freezer, I like to double bag portions of the soup in Ziploc freezer bags and lay flat. This saves a TON of freezer space. Thaw before reheating.  

FAQ

Is Panera Turkey Chili Healthy? 

Yes! Panera Turkey Chili is one of the healthier items on their menu and this copycat version made at home is even better because you’re in complete control of the ingredients and their quality.

What is a substitute for kidney beans in chili?

Substitute for any bean of your choice! You can use cannellini beans, pinto beans, additional chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), or even black beans. 

Should I drain beans for chili? 

Yes! Unless you’re using a bean in a seasoned sauce (like chili beans), it’s best to drain and rinse your beans. 

What do I do if my chili is too thick? 

You can add additional liquid of your choice. Additional broth is great or you can simply add water. I also like a strong tomato based flavor so I sometimes add tomato juice or a mixture of tomato sauce and water.

What is the most important spice in chili? 

This is probably a matter of opinion but to me the chili powder is the star of the show. This is closely followed by cumin. 

Is turkey chili better for you than beef? 

Turkey chili is often lighter, lower calorie and lower fat than beef chili. 

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