Delicious Ground Turkey Zucchini Chickpea Skillet

Hey there, meal makers!

Are you ready to whip up something delicious? I’ve got a fantastic recipe just for you!

Today, we’re diving into a one-pan wonder: a ground turkey zucchini chickpea skillet.

It’s packed with flavor, healthy, and super quick to make.

Perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without a ton of cleanup!

Let’s get cooking!

ground turkey zucchini chickpea skillet
Image: mollyshomeguide.com / Photographer Molly

Possible Ingredient Alternatives

Ground turkey can be replaced with ground chicken or lean ground beef for similar protein content and texture. For a vegetarian option, crumbled firm tofu or plant-based ground meat alternatives work well. Adjust cooking time slightly as needed. Chickpeas can be substituted with white beans or lentils for comparable protein and fiber. These alternatives maintain the dish’s hearty texture and nutritional profile. Zucchini can be swapped with yellow squash, eggplant, or bell peppers for different flavors and textures while still providing vegetable bulk. Chop the substitutes to a similar size as the zucchini for even cooking. These substitutions allow for dietary flexibility while preserving the skillet’s overall character and nutritional balance.

Preparation Time 10-15 minutes
Cooking Time 15-20 minutes
Total Time 25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

  • Calories: 1200-1400
  • Protein: 90-100 g
  • Fat: 70-80 g
  • Carbohydrates: 90-100 g

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or use vegetable oil)
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini (around 1 medium-sized zucchini)
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with their juices
  • 3/4 cup peas (frozen or canned)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Step 1: Cook the Ground Turkey

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add 1 pound of ground turkey and cook it, breaking it apart as you go, until it’s fully browned and cooked through.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic and Onion

Move the cooked ground turkey to one side of the skillet.

Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the cleared side, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 cup of chopped onion.

Cook these ingredients until the onion turns translucent, about 1-2 minutes.

Stir everything together so the flavors begin to meld.

Step 3: Add Vegetables and Spices

Incorporate 1 ½ cups of chopped zucchini, 1 cup of chickpeas, 1 cup of diced tomatoes (with juice), ¾ cup of peas, ¼ cup of tomato paste, and the spices into the skillet.

The spices include 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper.

Mix everything together thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.

Cook on low heat for 2-4 minutes until the zucchini becomes crisp-tender when poked with a fork.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dish.

Cover the skillet with a lid or a plate for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.

This will result in a deliciously gooey topping.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the cheese has melted, dish the mixture onto plates and serve hot.

Enjoy your flavorful and hearty ground turkey and vegetable skillet meal!

ground turkey zucchini chickpea skillet
Image: mollyshomeguide.com / Photographer Molly

ground turkey zucchini chickpea skillet
Image: mollyshomeguide.com / Photographer Molly

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