Description
Celebrate Halloween with these fun and festive Shredded Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers. Hollowed-out orange bell peppers are carved like Jack-o’-lanterns and filled with a flavorful mixture of shredded chicken, rice, black beans, corn, cheese, and spices. Baked until tender, these stuffed peppers make a colorful and delicious seasonal meal that’s perfect for a spooky dinner or festive party.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 4 large orange bell peppers
Stuffing
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) preparing it for baking the stuffed peppers to perfection.
- Prepare Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds and membranes inside. Then carve Jack-o’-lantern faces into the sides to create a festive Halloween look. Brush the outside of each pepper with olive oil to help them roast beautifully.
- Make Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, cooked rice, black beans, corn kernels, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well blended.
- Stuff Peppers: Fill each carved bell pepper with the chicken and rice mixture, packing the stuffing tightly to hold the shape. Replace the tops of the peppers to seal in the filling.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the peppers are tender but still maintain structure.
- Serve: Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven, discard the foil, and serve warm as a festive, hearty Halloween dish.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken and rice ahead of time to speed up preparation.
- Carving faces into the peppers makes this dish perfect for Halloween or fall gatherings.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with a dairy-free option for lactose intolerance.
- For extra flavor, add chopped onions or bell pepper pieces to the filling.
- Make sure to tightly pack the filling so it doesn’t fall out during baking.
