These chicken stuffed peppers are filled with slow cooked shredded chicken with chipotles in adobo sauce, then topped with cheese and baked to perfection. It's time for dinner!
Our Doux D'Espagne peppers have finally ripened and WOW, are they good. These chili peppers are freakin' HUGE and that makes them perfect for stuffing to serve as an entire meal for two with a single pepper.
You know a pepper is going to be huge when it goes by another name - The Spanish Mammoth Pepper. Compared to bell peppers, they're quite a bit sweeter in flavor and larger on average, though you won't find them easily in supermarkets, or in America, for that matter.
You're more likely to find them in Paris or other warmer climes outside of the U.S. They're best grown in your own garden, which I would urge you to do, but if you're unable to find them, go with red, orange, or yellow bell peppers for this recipe. Those will work just fine.
Isn't is gorgeous? What a dish! Stuffed peppers are such an attractive food on the plate, with that thin layer of melted cheese over the top of the savory and slightly tart shredded chipotle chicken with adobo and extra chili peppers cooked into the mix because #MikeLovesChiliPeppers. Crazy, I know.
You can see how juicy the mixture is within. Making me crazy. I want another one of these already.
Let's talk about how we make these chipotle chicken stuffed peppers, shall we?
Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Peppers Ingredients
- Peppers. Bell Peppers are great here but we used Doux D'Espagne grown in our garden. Stuffed bell peppers are great.
- Oil. For cooking.
- Veggies. Onion, sweet peppers, garlic and tomatoes.
- Chicken. I use chicken breast, but chicken thighs are great, too.
- Seasonings. I'm using my Cajun seasoning recipe and salt and pepper.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. Big flavor base!
- Cheese. I used about 1/2 cup gouda cheese, though any melty cheese will do. Use your favorite.
- Fresh Chopped Herbs. For topping
How to Make Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Peppers - the Recipe Method
Prepare the Peppers. Start off by slicing open the peppers lengthwise and scooping out the insides. Remove all the seeds and membranes. Look at these. Aren't they huge? And quite inviting.
Cook the Stuffing Mixture. Set your chicken down and season with salt and pepper and Cajun seasonings. Heat the oil in a large pot and cook down the onion, other peppers, garlic and seasoned chicken with a bit of oil. Don't forget the chipotles in adobo. I used a 7-ounce can for this recipe and the flavor was distinctively CHIPOTLE. LOVE IT!
Feel free to reduce the amount if you'd prefer to tame the overall chipotle flavor. But join me if you will for powerful chipotle! So smoky, so good.
Simmer the Chicken. Let it all simmer a while, at least 30 minutes, to allow the flavors to develop and for the chicken to break down. Once the chicken is tender, shred it with a couple of forks and mix it back into the chipotle mixture.
This is very much like this Chicken Tinga Recipe, which is essentially chipotle shredded chicken. I love this stuff.
You can continue to let it simmer and develop even more flavor at this point.
You may need to add a bit of water or chicken broth to keep the moisture level up, but this stuff right here is DA BOMB. I almost ate it right out of the pot. Let the smell fill your house. Drive yourself a little crazy with desire as it's cooking.
Not kidding.
Stuff the Peppers. Stuff the pepper halves with your chipotle chicken mixture, then here comes your favorite part --- Top with shredded cheese after you add the chicken! I used gouda this time around because I wanted a very melty cheese, and we both LOVE the taste of gouda, but feel free to use any other melty cheese like cheddar (yellow or white), pepper jack, Monterrey jack.
You name it, go for it. As long as it is melty.
Bake the Chicken Stuffed Peppers. When you're ready, bake them up in a preheated oven until the red peppers have softened to your liking and the cheese is nicely melted.
You can see why I am such a stuffed pepper fanatic. This particular stuffed pepper recipe is crazy good and if I owned a restaurant, you'd be dang RIGHT that I'd have this on the menu.
Let me know how you like it!
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Serving. I like to serve mine with some hot sauce on the side, and sometimes a bit of sour cream or beans on the side, like black beans. Try them with fresh lime juice as well.
- Seasonings. Use your favorite seasonings, like Creole seasoning, taco seasoning or other chili powders. So many ways to season this up!
Patty’s Perspective
This pepper is the perfect vessel for stuffing. WOW. Because it held the juices from the chicken adobe so nicely. It has a wonderful sweet flavor like a red bell, but so much better. I think you could take all of these ingredients and use them for tacos or nachos instead of stuffed peppers. So good!
Storage & Leftovers
Storing your Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Peppers in an airtight container in the fridge may allow you to store the leftovers for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate them promptly.
Try These Other Popular Stuffed Pepper Recipes
- Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers
- Cream Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers - Mexican Style
- Cajun Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- See All of My Stuffed Peppers Recipes
Also, try this awesome Quick and Easy Chipotle Chicken Recipe I made recently, as well as this classic Chicken Tinga Recipe. SO GOOD!
Got any questions? Ask away! I'm happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large peppers – Bell Peppers are great here but we used Doux D'Espagne grown in our garden
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 small sweet peppers chopped – I used Hungarian Wax
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 medium chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasonings – or use chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- 1 7- ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo
- 7 ounces water
- 4 ounces shredded gouda cheese
- Chopped parsley or cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add onion and sweet peppers and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic and stir. Cook another minute.
- Season chicken with seasonings and salt and pepper, then add to the pot. Sear each side a couple minutes.
- Add tomatoes, chipotle peppers and water. Stir.
- Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Shred chicken with a fork and stir the mixture. Increase heat a bit and simmer another 20 minutes to reduce the mixture slightly. Stir.
- Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Slice the large peppers in half lengthwise and stuff each pepper with the chicken mixture.
- Top with cheese and set the stuffed peppers into a large baking dish. Add a bit of water to the dish and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and top with parsley or cilantro.
- Serve!
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 2/15/21 to include new information. It was originally published on 9/23/16.
Robert says
I found some peppers called "Dulce Mediterraneo" at one of the specialty grocers where we live. I purchased 4 of those plus a medium bell pepper instead of Hungarian Wax. My wife & I used those in this recipe using meat from half of a smoked chicken and Gebhardt's chili powder instead of your Cajun Seasoning, omitted the entire can of chipotles in adobo (the chili powder and chicken rub had sufficient spice heat) and substituted a few tablespoons of red adobo paste.
The results were fantastic and we plan to repeat this recipe! Thanks for the roadmap!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Wonderful! I love to hear it, Robert! Thanks for sharing! Nice.
K says
I used poblano peppers and added some rice (cooked in chicken broth). I ended up with way too much filling for the peppers (probably BECAUSE of the rice), but it tastes fantastic on its own too!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Glad you enjoyed the extra stuffing!
Donna says
Would it be possible, when you print your recipes, to use weight instead of quantity, for things like chicken breasts. Two medium chicken breasts can be very different weights, depending on where you live. It's like one bunch of spinach - a handful or 6 cups, depending on the source.
Thanks.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I'll keep this in mind, Donna. I often use weights, but often there are many variables to take into account. I do say "medium" chicken breasts, "large" bell peppers, etc. I can be difficult with certain general recipes for everyone to find the exact weights of items that I have used that vary in sizes. But I do try! Thanks for letting me know.
Cia626 says
Made these tonight and they were great! I prefer milder so I used 1/2 can of chipotles and it was perfect. Served extra peppers on the side for those who like more heat. Now I’m checking out some of your other recipes.....
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks. I'm happy you enjoyed it and find other recipes you like.
col says
just made this today (the chicken...didn't have any peppers).
wow. top flavour and so easy. wraps and sour cream featured.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent, Col. Yes, delicious stuff! We love this recipe.
jennifer says
Can't wait to try this. I ordered my Doux d'Espagna seeds this morning. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for anyone needing a source! Thanks Mike
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Very nice! I hope you enjoy them!
Jeremie says
I did that one, tonight; not a lot of gouda in the fridge and zero Doux d'Espagne, so it was Corno di Toro and mature cheddar!
Chipotle is the king of enchanters! that was excellent!!! Thanks a lot for this awesome one, Mike!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Jeremie! I agree, chipotle is TOPS in flavors.
Julia says
This was delicious! It took a little longer than I expected. I didn't account for the prep time. I will use the left over filling to top a bed of romaine and top with cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Julia! Super tasty for sure, and I love your use of the leftovers. Nice.
Sue says
Do you add the chipotle’s whole? Take them out before stuffing? Ty
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sue, the chipotle peppers break down with the tomato as they simmer. You can further break them apart and mix them in with a wooden spoon. Just to confirm, you are using the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, correct? Not whole dried chipotle peppers? Let me know how it turns out for you.
Joao says
Second time I made this recipe. Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you for the recipe.
Greetings from Lisbon!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thank you Joao! Glad you enjoyed it!
Frances says
These are wonderful!!
What do suggest as side dishes??
REPLY: Thanks, Frances. I usually just serve them on their own, as they are sort of like the main star AND the side dish all wrapped up in one, but a side salad is always nice with stuffed peppers, or a bit of fruit. Also, corn bread! =) -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
Florentina says
this looks so delicious, can't wait to try it myself!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent!
Naomi Dvorachek says
These were seriously one of the best summer dishes I've made. I've had an unbelievable harvest of peppers of all kinds, and I used a local hybrid , the medium heat Beaver Dam Pepper (fully ripened and red), as the pepper to stuff. That filling!!!! Such smoky goodness. I'm glad I tripled the filling recipe. Enchiladas? Burritos? More stuffed peppers??
Sharon says
I'm a huge fan of your website. You guys are great and your recipes are the best! Have you ever thought of opening a restaurant? You could call it The Stuffed Pepper!
REPLY: Thanks, Sharon. I like it! -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.