This chili pie combines a healthy, leaner turkey chili recipe with a hearty gluten-free cornbread topping, all baked together in one skillet.
If you’ve ever wondered what a chili and shepherd’s pie baby would look like, it’d be something like this chili pie recipe.
There aren’t actual potatoes in this like in shepherd’s pie but it’s got a cornbread layer baked right on top of the turkey chili that mimics them pretty well and at a quick glance could easily be mistaken for the traditional Irish fare.
Except there’s nothing Irish about this one, it’s all Mexican!
And since I’m IN Mexico right now (probably eating more tacos and sipping more margarita like concoctions however), this felt like good timing to share this updated chili pie recipe.
This turkey chili pie is actually a throwback post from over five years ago.
Like many recipes on here, I had a brief obsession with it (mainly because of its one-skillet wonders) and then it got lost in the archives as things inevitably do when you have over 1,000 posts in 6 years!
I babbled away about seeing the Hunger Games movie in the original post and how disappointed I was in the on-screen recreation of the book and while I still stand by that assessment of the movie, I think it might be a better use of words to talk about the recipe for this turkey chili pie instead and share some other awesome Mexican inspired recipes from some of my blogging friends.
Hey, Cinco de Mayo IS right around the corner and any of these healthy Mexican inspired meals would be a great option to celebrate (maybe with one of these mango coconut margaritas in your hand too?).
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas – Eating Bird Food
These sheet pan shrimp fajitas make for an easy weeknight meal with Mexican flavor. Simply bake your shrimp, peppers and onions together on one sheet, load up your tortillas and enjoy!
Huevos Rancheros – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Looking for the perfect Huevos Rancheros? This classic Mexican breakfast is made with a hearty tomato sauce, homemade refried black beans, topped with the perfect fried egg, and all the fixings! Easy enough for a weekday breakfast and perfect for a festive weekend brunch!
Easy Baked Chilaquiles with Avocado Crema – Fit Foodie Finds
We’ve developed a fool-proof, super-simple baked chilaquiles recipe that’s packed with protein (thank you beans and eggs!) and Mexican flavor!These Mexican avocado egg salad wraps make for a perfect low carb veggie packed lunch! Paleo Avocado Egg Salad seasoned with Mexican spices and jalapeno, then all wrapped up in collard greens! Whole 30 friendly.
Mexican Avocado Egg Salad Collard Green Wraps – Cotter Crunch
These Mexican avocado egg salad wraps make for a perfect low carb veggie packed lunch! Paleo Avocado Egg Salad seasoned with Mexican spices and jalapeno, then all wrapped up in collard greens! Whole 30 friendly.
Whole30 Mexican Shakshuka – Food Faith Fitness
This quick and easy, gluten free Shakshuka recipe has a little, spicy Mexican twist! It’s a lower carb, healthy and whole30 compliant dinner or breakfast!
Those all look great, don’t they?!
So, let’s dissect this turkey chili pie a bit, shall we?
It’s basically a Mexican inspired turkey chili made in a skillet with a cornbread topping.
It’s simple because it’s almost an entirely pantry or freezer meal with ingredients you likely have on hand already like frozen corn and canned beans.
The turkey keeps it nice and lean but of course if you don’t care about that, feel free to use beef or a beef and sausage (chorizo?) mix (yum!).
Then, a simple (gluten-free!) cornbread batter is literally spooned right on top of the chili in the skillet and baked off until golden brown.
Why bother with cornbread on the side when you can bake it right on top? Am I right?
Although, this bacon jalapeno herb cornbread would be an awesome one to try if you’re adamant about having it on the side.
When you Google “chili pie” chances are you’re gonna get Frito chili pie recipes left and right.
I have always despised Fritos. I think they’re the grossest of the salty chip snacks out there.
For some reason, their incredibly corn-y taste is a huge turnoff to me so while this chili pie recipe includes zero Fritos, I promise you it’s even better.
Why add gross corn chips as your topping when this simple from scratch cornbread topping is a million times better, you know?
My favorite parts of this recipe:
-one skillet (boom)
-comfort food central
-still healthy AF
When I get home and poolside margaritas, mojitos, tortillas and guacamole are no longer an option, this easy dinner (or its cousin, this healthy taco soup) will for sure be on the menu to put me back in the Mexican mindset!
Maybe with a Pacifico on the side.
Love this turkey chili pie recipe?
You might also like this taco soup recipe. It’s basically like a brothy chili and taco night combined! Or maybe you prefer a more traditional American comfort dish of classic chicken pot pie? You can’t go wrong with any of them!
Try other turkey recipes like my Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet, Turkey Sausage Spaghetti Squash Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Chard, and Cherry Lentil Turkey Sausage Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
Turkey Chili Pie
Ingredients
For the chili:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/3 cup frozen corn kernels
- 15 ounces canned black beans, drained & rinsed
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon hot chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt & pepper
For the cornbread topping:
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour, (can substitute regular all-purpose or whole wheat white flour)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar, (or other preferred sweetener)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Cook turkey until browned, breaking up into small pieces with a spatula. Drain, transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Return pan to stove. Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil, onions, carrots, celery and pepper and cook until softened, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add corn, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and all the spices. Stir to combine.
- Add turkey back to skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine.
- Turn off heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine all ingredients for cornbread topping and whisk together.
- Spoon cornbread mixture on top of the chili in the skillet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until cornbread just starts to turn golden brown on top.
- Garnish with choice of avocado slices, cilantro, green onion, sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, grated cheddar cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I agree about The Hunger Games! I was very disappointed. They didn’t develop Katniss and Peeta’s relationship well, either. Most of her relationships were fairly trite, including with Haymitch and Effie.
I love your site and this is my first comment. I haven’t made anything from you yet, but everything looks great. I love your clean design!
Exactly, I was very disappointed in the character development of Haymitch and Effie. They could’ve dived so much deeper. Thanks for commenting today :)
Love this! Anything ground turkey, paprika, cumin, and tomato sauce is a winner in my book! My love for cornbread is immense too, and with this one not requiring any butter, just awesome!
A. I want those soup crocks in teal you have. 2. I want the lighting in your place because I always love how crisp your photos are. iii. This rocks. Period.
Three words: Le Creuset Outlet…
hunger games is not on my agenda, just not ready to give into that hype…
And this meal… I’d sort of love this right now… for breakfast (see I told you I can eat anything in the morning). But really, it sounds incredible and comforting and reminds me of being home with family.
Ok, I could maybe pick the cornbread topping off and eat it for breakfast but the bottom would have to wait until after 12pm… ;)
YOU, my friend, are NOT the only one who was slightly disappointed by the Hunger Games movie. I loved the book so much more than the movie. It was a nice try and good portrayal, but I’d stick to the books. This pie looks awesome. I love that you combined chili with cornbread and made it into a pie. Ugh, what a great combination. I love eating cornbread with chili…and just about anything.
This looks like a perfect Sunday dinner. I love casseroles, especially leftovers from those casseroles. Plus, cornbread topping makes the world go ’round :)
You’re right. I was looking forward to seeing more of the food that was described in the book on the big screen, but I liked the movie because I feel like they stayed very true to the book and I thought Jennifer Lawrence was a fantastic pick for Katniss!
Pinterest told me that if you put the white ends with the routs into a glass on your windowsill, the scallions will keep regrowing, endlessly. Guess what I’m doing this week?
On a different note, I saw this pop up in Twitter and my fingers couldn’t go fast enough to click on the link to see the deliciousness.
I’ve actually seen someone do that on a blog and it worked perfectly. Of course, that was my last green onion in this recipe so now I need to buy more and grow my own!
The crust looks like the best part :)
Dinner looks fabulous! I didn’t see Hunger Games nor really have intentions on seeing it. For some reason when they hype up a movie, I have no desire to see it. I haven’t even seen a Twilight movie yet.
I love the little crockpots you have. Silly question, but do you buy all your kitchen accessories to match or do you buy what ever color strikes you that day? I know off the wall question.
We actually rented the last Twilight movie on Saturday (my husband forced me too, I had no desire..haven’t read the books and hate the whole Twilight plot) so I was hit with that gem on Saturday night and then the disappointment of Hunger Games yesterday. Not a great weekend for movies over here!
The crockpots are from the Le Creuset outlet near me. All my accessory plates and pots and bowls are just bought randomly, not with any matching in mind. I have a set of my regular off white plates that match (our everyday dishware) but I don’t use those too often in photos (they always look yellow to me in pictures).
That’s exactly how I feel! Whenever something is that hyped up it’s almost a challenge to me to NOT see it for the longest time. Although people do look at me like I’m crazy a couple of years after a big movie comes out and I have no idea what they’re talking about when they reference it!!
I know exactly what you mean!