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Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet – Easy One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring seasoned ground turkey, fire-roasted tomatoes, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons homemade blend)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles, drained
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • ¼ cup sour cream (for serving, optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil. Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  2. Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is browned and no longer pink. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  3. Sauté the aromatics. Push the turkey to one side of the pan. Add the diced onion to the empty space and cook for 3 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then mix everything together.
  4. Season the meat. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the turkey mixture. Stir well to coat every piece. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  5. Add the liquids and rice. Pour in the fire-roasted tomatoes (with their juices), chicken broth, and diced green chiles. Stir to combine. Add the uncooked rice and stir again. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Simmer and cook. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes. The rice should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
  7. Add the cheese. Remove the lid. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes off the heat, until the cheese is melted and gooey.
  8. Garnish and serve. Remove the lid. Dollop sour cream on top, scatter fresh cilantro, and squeeze a lime wedge over everything. Serve directly from the skillet.

Notes

For best results, brown the turkey well and toast the taco seasoning. Use self-shredded cheese for smoother melting. If rice isn’t tender after 18 minutes, add ¼ cup more broth and cook covered for 3-5 minutes. For a low-carb version, substitute cauliflower rice and reduce broth to ½ cup.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy ground turkey taco skillet, one-pan dinner, easy weeknight meal, ground turkey recipe, taco skillet

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/cheesy-ground-turkey-taco-skillet-easy-one-pan-dinner/