Quinoa Turkey Chili

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
3 1/2 cups water, divided
1 lb ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 TB chili powder
1 TB cumin (I used a tad less)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cans black beans, rinsed
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 zucchini, chopped
1 chipoltle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
1 TB adobo sauce
1 bay leaf
1 tsp oregano
s&p
1 cup frozen corn

1. In a large saucepan, bring quinoa and 2 cups water to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and set aside.

2. In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, cook turkey, onion, red pepper and garlic over medium heat until turkey is cooked.  Stir in chili powder, cumin and cinnamon and cook for 2 minutes.

3. Add beans, tomatoes, zucchini, pepper, adobo sauce, bay leaf, oregano, s&p and remaining water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir in corn and quinoa, and heat through.  Discard bay leaf and serve.

Sweet Chili

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (optional, it tastes great without the chicken as well for a vegetarian meal)
1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, undrained
2 onions, cut into chunks
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 cup frozen sweet white corn
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
2-3 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese


Directions

Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker, and pour in the kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, onions, green bell pepper, corn, tomato paste, brown sugar, rice vinegar, chili powder, and salt. Stir to combine all ingredients, and cook on low all day.
Remove the chicken breasts, shred with 2 forks, and stir the shredded chicken back into the chili. Sprinkle the top of the chili with Cheddar cheese, and serve.

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This was delicious!  My kids ate almost as much as we did!  SO yummy!  It can be made either with or without chicken.  This recipe makes a huge batch, so you could freeze it too.