Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Crunchy Chips

Name: Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Crunchy Chips
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 yellow onion (finely chopped); 1 jalapeno (seeds removed and diced); 1 lb 93% ground turkey; Salt and pepper; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp cayenne; 3/4 cup canned pinto beans (drained); 3/4 cup corn kernels; 12 oz jarred salsa (about 1 jar); 32 tortilla chips (about 4 oz); 1 cup shredded reduce fat Mexican cheese blend; 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (for topping); pickled red onions (for topping); 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes (for topping); guacamole (sour cream, avocado, optional for topping); Lime wedges

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Picture one skillet, one dinner, and hardly any cleanup. This is the meal you make when the week has been long and you still want something everyone at the table will actually enjoy, spooned straight from the pan with all the toppings piled high.

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jack @jackmamo

Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Crunchy Chips

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01 The Story Behind This Dish 02 Recipe Card 03 Ingredients 04 Directions 05 Notes & Tips 06 Nutrition Facts 07 Community Photos 08 Reviews 09 Related Recipes

Recipe Story

The Story Behind This Dish

A little note from the kitchen.

There's something about a bubbling skillet of taco-seasoned turkey topped with melty cheese that pulls everyone to the table before you even call them. This Ground Turkey Taco Skillet layers warm spices, a little heat from jalapeño and cayenne, and smoky paprika into every bite, giving you all the flavor of taco night without the fuss of individual assembly.

Each forkful brings together tender crumbles of turkey, creamy pinto beans, and sweet corn kernels folded into a rich salsa base, all piled over crushed tortilla chips that soften just slightly under a blanket of melted Mexican cheese blend. Fresh toppings like cilantro, pickled red onions, and chopped tomatoes add brightness and crunch to balance the warm, savory skillet underneath.

This is the kind of recipe you reach for on a hectic weeknight when everyone's hungry and you need dinner on the table fast, but it's just as welcome for a casual weekend gathering where guests can pile on their own favorite toppings straight from the pan.

Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Crunchy Chips

COURSE: Main Course DIFFICULTY: Easy

PREP TIME 15 mins

COOK TIME 20 mins

TOTAL TIME 35 mins

SERVINGS 1 people

Directions

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1 Set a large skillet over medium heat and pour in the teaspoon of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, scatter in the chopped onion and diced jalapeño, stirring them around for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and smell fragrant.

2 Crumble the ground turkey straight into the skillet, sprinkling it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Break the meat apart with your spoon as it cooks, stirring often, until no pink remains and the turkey is nicely browned throughout.

3 Sprinkle the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne over the turkey, then stir in the drained pinto beans, corn kernels, and jarred salsa until everything is evenly coated. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 3 minutes so the flavors meld together.

4 Take a handful of the tortilla chips and crush them lightly with your hands, scattering the pieces evenly across the top of the turkey mixture. Follow with an even layer of the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the crushed chips.

5 Pop a lid on the skillet and let it sit over the heat for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the cheese turns melty and soft. If you'd rather, slide the pan under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes instead and keep an eye on it so it doesn't overbrown.

6 Pull the skillet off the heat and finish it with the chopped cilantro, pickled red onions, and chopped tomatoes scattered on top. Add any optional toppings you like, such as avocado, guacamole, or sour cream, then serve right away with lime wedges on the side.

Chef's Note

If you like things milder, leave the seeds and ribs in the jalapeño out completely, or swap in a milder pepper — the cayenne can also be reduced or skipped if spice isn't your thing.

Crumble the tortilla chips just before adding them so they keep some crunch under the melted cheese instead of going soft too quickly.

This skillet is best enjoyed fresh from the pan while the chips are still crisp, since leftovers will soften as they sit.

A broiler works great if your skillet is oven-safe, but keep the pan close to the heat source and check it frequently so the cheese melts without burning.

Set out the toppings — cilantro, pickled red onions, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and lime wedges — in small bowls so everyone can customize their own serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 serving

Calories: 2280kcal

Protein: 76g

Carbs: 285g

Fat: 95g

Sugar: 38g

Fiber: 19g

Sodium: 1900mg

Cholesterol: 190mg

Potassium: 950mg

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jack mamo

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Table of Contents

The Story Behind This Dish

Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Crunchy Chips