Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers

These stuffed peppers are the kind of dinner that looks like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen, but nobody has to know how simple they really are. The peppers bake up tender and sweet, and the creamy chicken filling turns bubbly and golden under a blanket of melted cheese.

They’re also a smart way to use up leftover chicken. Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here, and the filling comes together in one bowl while the oven heats up. Dinner, handled.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The filling is creamy, cheesy and ready in minutes — no precooking required
• A great way to turn leftover or rotisserie chicken into something new
• The peppers hold everything together, so serving is neat and easy
• Kid-friendly flavors with just enough seasoning to keep adults happy

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash the bell peppers, slice off the tops and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Set them upright in a baking dish — if one wobbles, trim a tiny sliver off the bottom so it stands flat.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and parsley until everything is evenly combined.
3. Spoon the filling into each pepper, pressing it down lightly so the peppers are well packed and mounded just a little on top.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the peppers are starting to soften.
5. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted, golden and bubbling at the edges.
6. Rest for a few minutes, then finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and the chili flakes if you’d like a little heat. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before mixing — it blends into the chicken much more smoothly
• Swap the chicken for crumbled cooked sausage or seasoned ground turkey for a different spin on the same idea
• For softer peppers, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish before covering with foil so they steam as they bake

Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Servings: 3