Description
Spicy Southwestern Stuffed Peppers blend zesty chicken and fluffy rice inside roasted bell peppers, creating a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired dish. Colorful, nutritious, and packed with bold flavors, this recipe delivers a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers:
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, or green)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Filling:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 0.5 cup frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Topping:
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh parsley
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare bell peppers by carefully trimming their tops and thoroughly removing internal seeds and membranes.
- In a comprehensive mixing bowl, thoroughly combine shredded chicken, precooked rice, diced tomatoes, and all specified seasonings until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently fold half of the shredded cheese into the chicken-rice blend, ensuring uniform incorporation of dairy components.
- Methodically stuff each bell pepper with the prepared mixture, positioning them upright in a suitable baking vessel.
- Delicately pour chicken broth into the baking dish’s base to maintain moisture and prevent pepper dehydration during cooking.
- Securely cover the entire dish with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment for initial baking phase, and cook for 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove foil, generously sprinkle remaining cheese atop each pepper, and return to oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese transforms into golden, bubbling perfection.
- Enhance visual appeal and flavor profile by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro, then serve immediately while temperature and texture are optimal.
Notes
- Swap protein easily by using ground turkey, beef, or plant-based crumbles for varied dietary preferences.
- Choose colorful bell peppers like red, yellow, or orange for vibrant presentation and added nutrition boost.
- Enhance flavor by adding diced jalapeños or green chiles for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
- Prep peppers ahead of time and store in refrigerator for quick weeknight meal, maintaining freshness up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg