Description
This Southwest Rice and Ground Turkey Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining tender ground turkey, aromatic spices, vegetables, and rice topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty dinner, it offers a delicious blend of Tex-Mex flavors with a satisfying cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Protein & Dairy
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (or chili powder)
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
Other Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) can original Rotel (or mild)
- 1 (4-ounce) can mild diced green chilies
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups cooked rice
- Chopped scallions, for garnish
- Lime juice, for garnish
- Tortilla chips, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and red bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, releasing its aroma.
- Brown turkey and season: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook until it is fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess grease. Stir in the kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, and dried cilantro. Cook the seasoned turkey mixture for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine remaining ingredients: To the skillet, add the Rotel tomatoes, diced green chilies, rinsed black beans, frozen corn, cooked rice, and half (1/2 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything well to combine and heat through for about 2 minutes over medium heat.
- Melt cheese and serve: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and turn off the heat. Let it sit covered for 5 minutes so the residual heat melts the cheese perfectly. Serve the skillet dish garnished with chopped scallions, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and tortilla chips for added crunch.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- For a spicier dish, choose a hot Rotel variety or add extra chipotle powder.
- Use freshly cooked rice for best texture, but leftover rice also works well.
- To make the dish dairy-free, omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
