Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb (≈450 g) ground turkey (or chicken or beef)
1 cup chopped yellow onion (≈130 g)
1 cup diced bell pepper (green or any color)
½ jalapeño, finely chopped (seeds removed)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 × 8‑oz (≈227 g) cans tomato sauce
½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 × 15‑oz (≈439 g) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 × 14.5‑oz (≈411 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 Tbsp light or dark brown sugar
1½ tsp chili powder
1½ tsp dried oregano
1½ tsp ground cumin
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cornbread Topping:
1 cup (120 g) fine‑grain cornmeal
1 cup (125 g) all‑purpose flour, spooned & leveled
1 tsp baking powder
1⁄8 tsp salt
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
¼ cup (50 g) light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk or whole milk, at room temperature
Optional: 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C).
In a 12‑inch ovenproof skillet or 3.5–4 qt pan, heat olive oil over medium heat for 1 minute. Add ground turkey, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic; sauté until meat is cooked through (~10 minutes).
Stir in tomato sauce, broth, tomatoes, beans, brown sugar, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium‑low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and buttermilk until smooth. Pour into dry ingredients and stir just to combine; fold in optional corn.
Pour or spoon cornbread batter evenly over chili base in skillet, smoothing gently to cover most of the surface.
Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and set.
Remove from oven and let rest ~10 minutes before serving.
Serve straight from skillet, optionally topped with shredded cheddar, sour cream, avocado, sliced jalapeños, or chopped green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main course
