Description
This Cheesy Baked Chicken Stuffed Peppers recipe features green bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground chicken, rice, and aromatic spices, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, these stuffed peppers make a comforting and wholesome meal that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 large green bell peppers
- 0.25 cup chopped onion
- Diced flesh from bell pepper tops (reserved)
- Discarded seeds and stems from bell peppers (not used)
Protein & Dairy
- 0.5 pound ground chicken
- 0.75 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Grains & Others
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to have it ready for baking once the stuffed peppers are assembled.
- Prepare the Peppers: Cut the tops off the green bell peppers and stand them upright in a baking pan. Dice any flesh from the pepper tops and set aside. Remove and discard all seeds and stems from the peppers.
- Make the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, diced bell pepper flesh, ground black pepper, and salt. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the prepared chicken mixture into each hollowed bell pepper, filling them completely. Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed peppers, ensuring the fillings are covered.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, allowing the filling to cook thoroughly and the peppers to soften.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil carefully and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops of the stuffed peppers. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Using fresh cooked rice is recommended for better texture in the filling.
- Covering the dish during the initial baking helps steam the peppers and keeps the filling moist.
- Feel free to use other cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure to remove all seeds and stems from peppers to avoid bitterness and ensure proper filling.
