Description
This Southwest Black Bean Skillet Recipe is a bold, cheesy one-pan dinner packed with rice, sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, and warm Southwestern spices. It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s hearty, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy families. Everything cooks together in one skillet for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 ½ cups salsa (mild or medium)
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced small
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, add the rice, salsa, diced sweet potatoes, black beans, green chilies, chili powder, and broth. Stir well to combine.Simmer:
Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.Rest:
Remove from heat and let the skillet rest, covered, for 5 minutes.Finish:
Uncover and fluff with a fork. Stir in lime juice and green onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Add Cheese:
Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve warm.
Notes
Dice sweet potatoes into small, even cubes so they cook fully with the rice.
If the mixture looks dry while cooking, add a small splash of broth.
For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop / One-Pan
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg