One-Pan Cheesy Chicken Sausage and Rice Skillet with Southwest Flavors

When the temperature drops, there’s nothing better than a hearty, one-pan meal that warms you from the inside out. This Southwest-inspired skillet supper is packed with bold flavors: tender rice, juicy chicken sausage and colorful peppers and onions, all topped with melted pepper jack cheese, fresh salsa and a dollop of tangy lime crema.

It’s a simple, convenient dish that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The combination of spices, creamy cheese and zesty lime will transport your taste buds and keep the winter chill at bay.

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Ingredients

9 ounce Italian Chicken Sausage MixView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Pepper Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Long Green PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and green pepper. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the jasmine rice, Southwest spice blend, chicken stock concentrate and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 15 minutes.
4. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir in the hot sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Sprinkle the pepper jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and let it sit off heat until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the salsa: combine the diced tomato and half the lime juice in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt.
7. In another small bowl, mix the sour cream with the remaining lime juice to make the crema.
8. Serve the skillet topped with the fresh salsa and a drizzle of lime crema. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of rice?

Yes, but cooking times may vary. For best results, use a long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati. If using brown rice, increase the liquid and cooking time accordingly.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the skillet as directed, but wait to add the cheese and toppings until reheating. Store in the fridge, then reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed.

What can I substitute for chicken sausage?

Ground chicken, turkey or pork sausage work well. You can also use diced cooked chicken breast for a lighter option.