Description
Jailhouse Rice is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal combining ground meat, rice, vegetables, and spices. This easy skillet recipe uses simple ingredients like ground beef or turkey, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and seasonings to create a comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners. With its savory tomato base and tender rice cooked together, it’s a complete meal thats both satisfying and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (190g), uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth (475ml)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey (225g)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz / 411g)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen corn (75g)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack, for topping)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and diced bell pepper to the skillet with the meat. Stir and cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Spices and Tomatoes: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper evenly over the mixture. Stir to coat. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, stirring well to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 minutes.
- Cook the Rice: Stir in the uncooked rice and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and simmer gently for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to ensure even steam cooking.
- Finish with Optional Corn and Rest: Remove the skillet from heat. If using frozen corn, stir it in now and let it warm in the residual heat for a few minutes. Keep the rice covered and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the rice to fully fluff.
- Garnish and Serve: Fluff the rice gently with a fork. If desired, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro and shredded cheese over the top. Cover the skillet again for about 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt. Serve the dish warm.
Notes
- Use ground turkey for a leaner option or ground beef for more richness.
- Do not lift the lid while the rice simmers to ensure proper cooking through steam.
- Frozen corn adds a sweet pop of flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
- Fresh cilantro and melted cheese brighten and enrich the final dish.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Jailhouse Rice, one-pot rice recipe, ground beef rice skillet, easy dinner recipe, skillet rice dish, one pan meal, chili rice
