Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Delicious Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Peppers featuring tender chicken cubes mixed with fresh thyme, cheddar cheese, and seasoned panko topping baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make recipe elevates classic stuffed peppers with a crunchy cheesy crust, perfect for a comforting dinner.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 stuffed pepper halves (4 whole peppers) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Crumb Topping
- ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Chicken Filling
- ¾ lb chicken breasts, cut into ¼ inch cubes
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme leaves)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅔ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp all-purpose white flour
- 4 red bell peppers, halved from stem to base and de-seeded
- Approximately 1 Tbsp olive oil (for brushing peppers)
- Additional salt for sprinkling on peppers
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, ⅛ tsp salt, black pepper, olive oil, and ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Use your fingers to rub the mixture until cheese pieces are about the size of the larger crumbs. Set this mixture aside.
- Prepare Chicken Filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the cubed chicken breasts, chopped thyme, ¼ tsp salt, remaining ⅔ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and all-purpose flour. Stir until well combined.
- Prepare Bell Peppers: Lightly brush the outsides of each pepper half with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on a baking sheet.
- Fill Peppers: Fill each pepper half with approximately ¼ cup of the chicken mixture. Then, evenly top each filled pepper half with about 1 tablespoon of the prepared cheesy panko crumb topping.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is cut into uniform small cubes for even cooking.
- To check doneness, ensure the chicken is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- You can substitute red bell peppers with orange or yellow bell peppers for a sweeter flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken filling or topping.
- Serve the stuffed peppers hot with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Peppers, baked stuffed peppers, chicken and cheese peppers, easy dinner recipe, baked stuffed bell peppers