Creamy Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe
These Creamy Chicken Stuffed Peppers are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of shredded chicken, reduced fat cream cheese, salsa verde, and cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection, this recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy a protein-packed meal with a creamy texture and a hint of spice from paprika and onion powder.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 stuffed pepper halves (serves 3-4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Vegetables
- 3 bell peppers, halved, seeds and ribs removed
- 2 scallions, chopped
Protein
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (approx. 2 chicken breasts)
Cheeses
- 4 oz reduced fat cream cheese (Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat)
- 4 oz reduced fat cheddar cheese, grated (Cabot Sharp Cheddar 75% Reduced Fat)
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1/2 cup salsa verde
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Prepare the Peppers: Halve the bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds and ribs to create hollow boats for the filling, ensuring they can hold the stuffing well without collapsing during baking.
- Mix the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the paprika, onion powder, cream cheese, salsa verde, and 3 oz of the grated cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Add Chicken and Scallions: Fold the shredded cooked chicken breast and chopped scallions into the creamy cheese mixture until evenly incorporated, creating a flavorful stuffing.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon equal amounts of the chicken filling into each pepper half, packing them generously but without overflowing.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the reserved 1 oz of grated cheddar cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers to create a melty cheese crust when baked.
- Bake: Cover the stuffed peppers loosely with tented foil to prevent burning and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
Notes
- Use reduced fat cheeses to keep the dish lighter without compromising flavor.
- Salsa verde adds a tangy, slightly spicy element; mild or hot versions can be used depending on preference.
- Cook chicken breasts ahead of time by boiling, baking, or slow cooking for ease of preparation.
- To make this gluten-free, ensure the salsa verde and seasonings do not contain gluten additives.
- For added flavor, garnish with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper half
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken stuffed peppers, creamy chicken peppers, baked stuffed peppers, healthy stuffed peppers, low fat chicken recipes