Taco Stuffed Peppers
Enjoy a fun, low-carb twist on taco night with these Taco Stuffed Peppers! They’re cheesy, flavorful, and topped with all your favorite taco fixings.
If you are looking for a classic stuffed pepper recipe, you have to try these bell peppers stuffed with a creamy chicken taco mixture and topped with melty cheese! This great recipe is super versatile and becomes the perfect leftover lunch the next day! Everyone in the family can add their favorite taco toppings to make it their own!
We love chicken tacos in every possible way! Try them grilled, from the slow cooker, ultra creamy style, or with super crispy shells.
Why you will love these stuffed peppers:
- It’s a simple recipe. There are no expensive ingredients or complicated cooking techniques. It’s perfect for beginner cooks and busy folks!
- These are great for meal prep. It’s a great way to use up leftover or prepped chicken, and the cooked peppers store well. Reheat easily in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.
- You can easily adapt for your preferences and needs. This recipe is already pretty allergen friendly (gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free), but it is also low-carb and keto-friendly. It would work well with different proteins, low-fat ingredients, and dairy-free alternatives. Since each person gets their own pepper to eat, each person can add seasonings and toppings to their own liking!
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you will need for this recipe. Scroll to the printable recipe card for exact measurements.
- Bell Peppers – We used a colorful trio of peppers, but any color will work!
- Chicken – Cooked and shredded. This is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken or utilize meal prepped slow cooker chicken.
- Green chilies – Canned and drained. We used mild to keep these kid-friendly, but feel free to use the spicy version instead if you like a little kick!
- Cream cheese (softened) and Salsa – These create a great, creamy texture and keeps the chicken juicy. Store-bought or homemade salsa will work great.
- Seasonings: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt
- Shredded cheese – We enjoy a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for great flavor and perfect melting consistency.
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado slices, enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, green onions, shredded lettuce, diced onions, crushed tortilla chips, jalapeno ranch, etc.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized bell peppers, any color
- 3 cups shredded, cooked chicken
- 1 4-ounce can green chilies
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup salsa
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded cheese, cheddar and mozzarella combined is recommended
- Optional Garnish: chopped cilantro, sour cream, avocado, sliced jalapenos, etc.
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Remove the stems from the bell pepper and slice, creating two hollow pepper halves. Remove the seeds and veins from the peppers. Place in a small baking dish.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, green chilies, cream cheese, salsa, spices and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir well.
- Spoon the mixture into the peppers, pressing lightly so you can pack the peppers as much as you can.
- Top with the remaining cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until the cheese has browned and the peppers are tender.
Notes
How to make Chicken Stuffed Peppers
This is an incredibly easy recipe that works great for a 30-minute family dinner. You just need a cutting board, mixing bowl, and baking dish. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Prep
Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F. While that is warming up, remove the bell pepper stems and slice the peppers in half to create two identical hollow pepper halves. Remove the seeds and veins, then place the prepped peppers in a small baking dish.
Make taco filling
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine your cooked chicken, drained green chilies, softened cream cheese, salsa, spices, and half of the shredded cheese. Stir well until the mixture because a creamy, cohesive filling.
Pack and bake
Spoon the chicken mixture into the prepped peppers, lightly pressing as you go to pack in as much of that filling as possible. Top each with the remaining shredded cheese, then place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake 25-30 minutes and remove when the peppers and tender and the cheese has browned.
What to serve with chicken taco stuffed peppers
While this dish will make a complete meal on it’s own, you can serve it with a side salad and keto biscuits for a low-carb meal. It’s also amazing with this Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice.
More amazing side dishes for you:
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice
- Seasoned Black Beans
- One Pan Chipotle Potatoes
- Green Chile Corn Fritters
- Mexican Corn Bread
Storage and Reheating
Allow leftovers to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 4-5 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 1-minute increments or heat in the oven (350 degrees F) about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Tips, Suggestions, and Substitutions:
- Only garnish what you will eat tonight. Any fresh herbs, produce, or sour cream you use as garnish can wilt, brown, separate, or otherwise change during the storage and reheating process.
- Make it with your preferred protein. Feel free to swap the shredded chicken with this Mexican Shredded Beef! It would also be great with cooked ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
- Prep these ahead of time if needed! If you won’t be home until late, feel free to mix the filling and prep the peppers up to 3 days ahead of time! When you get home, simply stuff the peppers and bake for a super simple meal.
- Make it your own. Swap the regular red salsa with tomatillo jalapeno salsa. Add your favorite hot sauce into the filling. Top them with crushed tortilla chips for crunch. If you have leftover taco meat, use that and stir in leftover rice or refried beans. Just like tacos, this recipe works extremely well with customization.
