Heat the oil: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of neutral oil. Once hot, it should shimmer, indicating it's ready for cooking.
Sauté the onion: Add the diced medium yellow onion to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent it from browning.
Add garlic: Stir in 2 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Cook the ground turkey bacon (or chicken): Add 2 lbs of ground turkey bacon (or chicken) to the pot. Cook it until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.
Mix in spices: Stir in 3.5 teaspoons of cumin, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1.5 tablespoons of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper, and 3.5 teaspoons of salt. Cook for 30-60 seconds to bloom the spices, stirring constantly.
Add the base: Pour in the 2 cans of crushed tomatoes, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, and 1 cup of low-sodium broth. If using, add 1 can of kidney beans and the optional ⅛ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until well combined.
Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chili simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Serve: Dish out the chili into bowls and serve warm, accompanied by your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, sour cream, and tortilla chips or yeast rolls. Enjoy!