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Zesty Garlic Butter Turkey Skillet – Easy One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring ground turkey in a zesty garlic butter sauce with lemon and red pepper flakes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful skillet comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: mince garlic, zest and juice lemon, chop parsley, and measure spices.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and let it melt until foamy but not browned.
  3. Add ground turkey, breaking it into large chunks. Let cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a golden sear. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Continue cooking, breaking meat into smaller pieces, for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink. Transfer turkey to a plate; do not wipe out the pan.
  5. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds until fragrant and just starting to turn golden.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan (deglaze). Let simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  7. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme. Stir and let simmer for 1 minute.
  8. Return turkey to the skillet, stirring to coat. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to absorb flavors. Adjust consistency with more broth or water if needed.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes. Add extra lemon juice if desired.
  10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use 93% lean ground turkey and unsalted butter. Don’t skip the sear—let the turkey brown undisturbed for deep flavor. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day. To freeze, cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey skillet, garlic butter, one-pan dinner, ground turkey, quick dinner, weeknight meal, zesty, lemon, red pepper flakes

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/zesty-garlic-butter-turkey-skillet-easy-one-pan-dinner/