If you’re looking for a comforting, hearty dish that brings together the best of cheesy, savory goodness with fresh, vibrant vegetables, then this Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe is going to be your new favorite. It combines tender ground chicken, fluffy rice, and melty mozzarella inside sweet green bell peppers that get perfectly tender in the oven. The rich tomato sauce keeps everything delightfully moist, while the cheese topping adds that irresistible golden crust that makes each bite so satisfying. Easy to prepare yet impressively delicious, this recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome home-cooked meal that feels special every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might be simple, but each one plays a crucial role in balancing flavors, textures, and colors, making every bite in this Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe truly memorable.
- Green bell peppers (2 large): They serve as the vibrant, crunchy vessel that holds all the flavorful stuffing.
- Chopped onion (0.25 cup): Adds a mild sweetness and depth to the chicken filling.
- Diced flesh from bell pepper tops: Reusing this ensures nothing goes to waste and adds extra pepper flavor inside the filling.
- Ground chicken (0.5 pound): A lean, tender protein base that absorbs spices beautifully.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (0.75 cup): Brings the prominent cheesy meltiness that finishes the dish perfectly.
- Cooked rice (1 cup): Adds an inviting fluffiness and subtle chew to the stuffing mixture.
- Minced garlic (1 clove): For an aromatic punch that elevates the savory flavors.
- Ground black pepper (0.5 teaspoon): Provides a subtle warmth to balance the richness.
- Salt (0.5 teaspoon): Enhances and rounds out every ingredient in the mix.
- Tomato sauce (1 cup): Keeps the stuffed peppers juicy and adds a tangy brightness that pairs wonderfully with the cheese.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
To get started, gather all your fresh ingredients and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures your oven is warm and ready, so you can slide those stuffed peppers right in once they’re assembled, locking in all those delicious flavors.
Step 2: Prepare the Peppers
Carefully cut the tops off your green peppers and stand them upright in a baking dish. Dice up the leftover flesh around the stems and save it — you’ll mix this into your filling for extra color and flavor. Don’t forget to scoop out and discard the seeds and stems to make room for your tasty stuffing.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, cooked rice, chopped onions, minced garlic, black pepper, salt, and the diced pepper flesh from earlier. Stir everything together thoroughly until it looks like one cohesive, flavorful mixture, perfect for stuffing inside your peppers.
Step 4: Stuff and Sauce
Fill each hollow pepper generously with your chicken mixture, packing it in well but keeping the top neat. Once filled, pour the tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed peppers. This will keep them moist as they bake and add a tangy, savory layer that complements the cheese later on.
Step 5: Bake Covered
Cover your baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap all the steam and moisture. Bake in your preheated oven for 45 minutes. During this time, the peppers soften while the filling cooks through, melding the flavors beautifully.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Finish Baking
Remove the foil carefully (watch out for steam!) and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each stuffed pepper. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden crust that makes this Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe truly glow on your plate.
How to Serve Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil add a vibrant pop of green and a mild aromatic freshness that pairs wonderfully with the cheesy, savory stuffed peppers. A light sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can also bring an exciting little heat kick if you enjoy some spice.
Side Dishes
These cheesy stuffed peppers stand as a complete meal themselves, but if you’re looking to round things out, crisp green salads with lemon vinaigrette or a side of roasted vegetables add a refreshing contrast. Garlic bread or crusty baguettes soak up any leftover tomato sauce delightfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve each pepper upright on a white plate with a drizzle of tomato sauce artistically swooshed beside it. Top with extra fresh basil leaves or even a dollop of sour cream for an extra layer of creaminess. These little touches make the dish feel like a restaurant-worthy delight at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld together, making leftovers just as delicious. Make sure to let them cool before sealing to maintain freshness.
Freezing
This Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap individual peppers tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months, making for a convenient and satisfying meal anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the stuffed peppers in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil to prevent the cheese from burning. Alternatively, microwave on medium power in 1-2 minute intervals until heated, though the oven method is best for maintaining that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of meat instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, beef, or even sausage can be delicious alternatives, each bringing its own unique flavor to the dish. Just adjust seasoning as needed depending on the meat’s existing fat and salt content.
Are there any vegetarian versions of this recipe?
Yes, you can swap the chicken with cooked lentils, black beans, or a mix of chopped mushrooms and quinoa. These ingredients provide hearty texture and protein while keeping the dish vegetarian-friendly.
What type of cheese works best for this recipe?
Mozzarella is ideal for that classic melty and stretchy cheese experience, but feel free to mix in cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for a little extra kick and flavor complexity.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time before baking?
Definitely! You can stuff the peppers and assemble everything up to the baking step and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just add a little extra baking time if the peppers come straight from the fridge to ensure they cook through properly.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your tomato sauce and other seasonings do not contain gluten additives. Always double-check labels, especially if using store-bought sauces or spice blends.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe enough if you want a dish that’s comforting, full of flavor, and exciting to serve any day of the week. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug, easy to make but impressive in result. So, pick up some fresh bell peppers, gather your ingredients, and give it a try—you’re in for a delicious treat that will quickly become a beloved classic in your kitchen!
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Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings (2 stuffed peppers)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers recipe features tender green bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground chicken, cooked rice, and aromatic vegetables, all baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large green bell peppers
- 0.25 cup chopped onion
- Diced flesh from bell pepper tops (reserved)
- Discarded seeds and stems from bell peppers
- 0.5 pound ground chicken
- 0.75 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients needed for the recipe. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready once the peppers are stuffed and assembled.
- Prepare the Peppers: Cut the tops off the green bell peppers and set them upright in a baking pan. Dice the flesh from the cut-off tops and set aside for mixing later. Remove and discard the seeds and stems from inside the peppers completely.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ground chicken, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground black pepper, salt, and the reserved diced bell pepper flesh. Mix thoroughly to evenly incorporate all ingredients.
- Stuff the Peppers: Scoop the prepared chicken mixture evenly into each hollowed green pepper. Once filled, pour tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed peppers to cover the filling.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to cook the filling fully and soften the peppers.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the tops of the peppers, and return the baking dish to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
Notes
- Make sure to remove all seeds and stems from the peppers to avoid bitterness and ensure enough space for the filling.
- Using cooked rice helps bind the filling and adds a nice texture.
- Covering the baking dish during the initial baking helps retain moisture, making the peppers tender.
- Feel free to substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking, making it ideal for meal prepping.
