Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for chicken stuffed bell peppers, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken And Marinade:
Olive Oil – You will need enough olive oil for the chicken, peppers, and filling. You can also use another neutral oil, such as avocado oil. Lime Juice – The acid in the lime juice helps to tenderize the chicken. I think fresh is best, but you can use bottled for convenience. Fajita Seasoning – I made my own homemade fajita seasoning, but store bought would work as well. For a different flavor profile, you could swap in Cajun seasoning or taco seasoning. Chicken – I cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces for this chicken stuffed bell peppers recipe. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. If you have leftover shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even shredded pollo asado on hand, you could also just toss that with the seasonings and lime juice and use in the recipe without cooking it.
Peppers:
Bell Peppers – I like to use a variety of bell peppers (a mix of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers), but you can use any color you prefer. Poblano peppers would also work. Olive Oil Sea Salt
Filling:
Olive Oil Onion – While I used a diced yellow onion, a sweet onion or white onion would work as well. Garlic – I recommend using fresh garlic, but you can use jarred minced garlic to save time. Cheese – I used a Mexican cheese blend for these stuffed peppers. You could easily substitute other melting cheeses, such as pepper jack or cheddar cheese. If you need to be dairy-free, you can simply omit the cheese or use a plant-based substitute. Cooked Cauliflower Rice – Use fresh or frozen riced cauliflower from the store to save time making these peppers. Make a big batch of homemade cauliflower rice and use in this recipe, or just cook a little longer after adding the cauliflower to make sure it softens. For even more flavor, swap the plain cauliflower rice with cilantro lime cauliflower rice instead. I choose cauli rice as a healthier option, but if it fits your lifestyle, you could use cooked brown or white rice instead. Fresh Cilantro – I love fresh cilantro and it works best with the Mexican flavors in these chicken stuffed peppers, but you can also swap in other fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil.
How To Make Chicken Stuffed Peppers
This section shows how to make chicken stuffed bell peppers, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Filling Flavor Variations
Don’t want Mexican flavors? You can totally make these chicken peppers with different seasonings for a completely different flavor. Here are some ideas: If the bell peppers don’t stand up, slightly chop the bottoms to level. Be careful not to slice too far and create holes in the bottom of the pepper, which will cause fillings to leak.
Cajun – Season the chicken with olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick. Follow the rest of the recipe, but use cheddar cheese instead of Mexican blend. Buffalo – For buffalo chicken stuffed peppers, coat the shredded chicken in a mixture of melted butter and buffalo sauce. Fill the peppers with a combination of diced celery, green onions, crumbled blue cheese, and either dollops of cream cheese or drizzles of ranch dressing. Serve with more ranch on top. Mediterranean – Marinate the chicken in the marinade I use for Greek souvlaki. Stuff the peppers with a mixture of cauliflower rice (or regular rice or cooked quinoa), diced tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and feta cheese. Serve with diced cucumbers and extra feta on top. Spinach Alfredo – If you like creamy chicken, toss the shredded chicken in Alfredo sauce, then stir in diced red onions and drained frozen spinach. Top with shredded mozzarella and bake.
Storage Instructions
Store: Place stuffed bell peppers with chicken in an airtight container or wrap with foil and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Meal prep: For a make-ahead meal, you can cook chicken and rice stuffed bell peppers according to the recipe and store in the refrigerator or freezer. Alternatively for fresher results, you can assemble the peppers but don’t bake at the last step until right before serving. Reheat: Warm peppers in the oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave. Freeze: Place cooled stuffed peppers on a baking sheet and freeze for about 2 hours. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight for faster reheating, or simply bake from frozen at 350 degrees F.
What To Serve With Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers
Chicken stuffed peppers make a meal all on their own, so you don’t have to add anything. If you want to, though, try these ideas:
Toppings – Top with diced avocado or guacamole, green onions, and sour cream. You can also drizzle on a sauce, such as fresh tomato salsa, avocado salsa verde, or queso in place of the shredded cheese. Salad – Any healthy salads can work with these stuffed peppers, but they work particularly well with Mexican flavors. Try avocado corn salad or taco slaw. Soup – If you want an extra hearty meal, pair the peppers with black bean soup, a Mexican soup, or a classic taco soup.
More Stuffed Pepper Recipes
There are so many other delicious ways to stuff a pepper! If you liked these stuffed peppers, try some of these other recipes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
