Description
Hearty halloween shredded chicken & rice stuffed peppers bring Mexican-inspired comfort to seasonal dining. Spicy peppers filled with zesty chicken and rice create a festive meal you’ll crave all autumn long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 bell peppers (orange, green, or your choice of color)
- 2 cups Mexican rice
- 1 shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Protein Additions:
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Clean bell peppers, slice off tops, and carefully remove seeds and inner membranes. Craft spooky jack-o-lantern faces into each pepper using a sharp knife.
- Submerge peppers and tops in boiling water for 5 minutes until slightly softened but structurally intact. Drain and let cool momentarily.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cooked Mexican rice, tender shredded chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, and protein-rich black beans until evenly distributed.
- Generously stuff each pepper with the flavorful chicken-rice mixture, ensuring a compact fill. Optional: Sprinkle additional cheese across the top for extra richness.
- Replace pepper tops and position stuffed peppers vertically in a sturdy baking dish, maintaining their upright Halloween character.
- Transfer dish to preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, monitoring until cheese melts completely and peppers reach desired tenderness.
- Present these whimsical jack-o-lantern peppers as a festive, themed dinner centerpiece that delights both eyes and palate.
Notes
- Carve peppers carefully to create spooky faces without damaging the pepper structure, ensuring clean cuts for a professional Halloween presentation.
- Blanch peppers briefly to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant color while softening them enough for easy eating.
- Choose bell peppers with flat bottoms to help them stand upright in the baking dish, preventing tipping and uneven cooking.
- Customize the filling by swapping chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or quinoa for vegetarian guests, making the dish inclusive and adaptable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg