Spicy Southern Dirt Rice Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper (green or red), diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• to taste salt and pepper
• for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice in cold water and drain well. In a medium saucepan, combine the washed rice and chicken broth, bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce to low heat. Cook for about 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and the broth is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit covered.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Add the ground turkey or chicken to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 6-8 minutes.
5. Mix in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir continuously, allowing the spices to coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
6. Once the meat is cooked, fold in the cooked rice and frozen peas. Stir until everything is integrated well, cooking for another 3-5 minutes until heated through.
7. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.