Description
Mexican-inspired Shredded Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers deliver a zesty symphony of flavors in each colorful bell pepper. Hearty ingredients combine for a satisfying meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup corn
Grains and Base:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 4 large bell peppers
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Slice off the pepper tops and meticulously remove all seeds and inner membranes, creating hollow vessels for stuffing.
- Craft a vibrant filling by thoroughly blending shredded chicken, fluffy rice, melted cheese, zesty marinara, sweet corn, hearty black beans, and a medley of aromatic spices until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Generously pack each pepper cavity with the robust chicken and rice mixture, ensuring a dense and flavorful stuffing.
- Sprinkle an additional layer of cheese across the pepper tops for a golden, melted finish.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and roast for 30 minutes, allowing peppers to soften and flavors to meld together.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until peppers reach a tender consistency and cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed crust.
- Enhance the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley, adding a vibrant and aromatic final touch before serving.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by roasting peppers briefly before stuffing to intensify their natural sweetness and soften texture.
- Swap white rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for lower-carb and gluten-free alternatives that boost nutritional value.
- Prepare filling ahead of time and refrigerate overnight to allow spices to meld and develop deeper, richer taste profile.
- For vegetarian version, replace chicken with plant-based protein like black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu to maintain protein content.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg