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
Scale
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.
