Description
This Southwest Black Bean Skillet is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal combining rice, sweet potatoes, black beans, and green chilies simmered together with spices and broth, then topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro for a comforting and quick dinner option.
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
- 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, peeled and diced sweet potatoes, rinsed and drained black beans, diced green chiles with their juices, chili powder, and chicken or vegetable broth. Stir everything together to evenly combine the ingredients.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes until the rice is cooked and the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the skillet from heat and keep it covered for 5 minutes to allow the dish to rest. Then uncover and fluff the rice mixture with a fork. Stir in the fresh lime juice and sliced green onions. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture, then cover again for a few minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot. Enjoy this flavorful and wholesome Southwest-inspired dish as a satisfying main course.
Notes
- You can use vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by substituting cheddar cheese with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Adjust the chili powder and green chiles amount to make it more or less spicy according to your taste.
- For a creamier texture, add a dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of avocado on top before serving.
- If you prefer a gluten-free meal, ensure the salsa and broth you use are certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if dry.
