Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Turkey Rice recipe featuring lean ground turkey cooked with aromatic onion and garlic, simmered with long-grain rice in flavorful chicken broth, and topped with melted cheddar cheese for a satisfying one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Grains
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Oils
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onions and garlic until they turn translucent, which should take about 3 minutes. This step builds flavor as the aromatics soften.
- Cook the turkey: Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet along with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook the turkey for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and fully cooked through.
- Add rice: Stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice, mixing it thoroughly with the cooked turkey and aromatics to coat the grains and integrate flavors.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the Italian herbs. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth completely.
- Melt the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then cover the pan again and let it sit for 5 minutes. This allows the cheese to melt smoothly over the rice and turkey mixture.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in the dish.
- Covering the skillet when melting the cheese helps achieve a creamy texture without additional heat.
- Substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean beef if preferred.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure rice is certified gluten-free and use gluten-free broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
