Description
This Southwest Black Bean Skillet is a vibrant, nutritious one-pan meal featuring tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and rice simmered in a flavorful salsa and broth mixture. Finished with melted cheddar cheese, fresh green onions, lime juice, and cilantro, it’s a comforting and easy dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, undrained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable broth
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large skillet, add the uncooked rice, salsa, diced sweet potatoes, rinsed and drained black beans, undrained diced green chiles, chili powder, and chicken or vegetable broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Place the skillet on the stovetop over high heat and cover it. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook covered for 15 minutes or until the rice and sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the skillet from heat and keep it covered for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to finish steaming. Uncover and use a fork to fluff the rice mixture gently. Stir in fresh lime juice and sliced green onions, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for a few minutes off the heat until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve the Southwest Black Bean Skillet hot for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option, or chicken broth for added flavor.
- Adjust chili powder to your desired spice level or add a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- For extra protein, add cooked chicken or ground turkey before simmering.
- If you prefer a softer texture, cover and let rest a little longer after cooking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
