Description

These Halloween Shredded Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers are a festive and delicious dish perfect for a spooky gathering. Colorful bell peppers are hollowed out and carved like jack-o-lanterns, then stuffed with a flavorful mixture of Mexican rice, shredded chicken, black beans, and cheddar cheese. Baked until tender and cheesy, these stuffed peppers make an engaging centerpiece that’s both fun and satisfying.

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

4 bell peppers (orange, green, or your choice of color)
2 cups Mexican rice, cooked
1 shredded chicken breast (about 1 cup)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

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Instructions

Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Rinse the bell peppers thoroughly. Slice off the tops of the peppers and hollow out the insides by removing the seeds and white membranes. For a festive Halloween touch, carve jack-o-lantern faces into each pepper.
Blanch the Peppers: Once the water is boiling, carefully place the hollowed peppers and their tops into the boiling water for about 5 minutes. This step softens them slightly while keeping them firm enough to hold the stuffing. Remove the peppers and tops from the water and set aside to cool slightly.
Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked Mexican rice, shredded chicken breast, shredded cheddar cheese, and rinsed black beans. Mix well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
Stuff the Peppers: Fill each softened pepper cavity with the chicken and rice mixture. For extra cheesiness and flavor, sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese on top of the filling. Then, place the pepper tops back onto each stuffed pepper to cover them.
Bake the Stuffed Peppers: Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and the peppers are tender.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the peppers from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Serve these spooky jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers warm as a delightful Halloween-themed meal or party appetizer.

Notes

Carving jack-o-lantern faces into the peppers adds a fun Halloween touch, but can be skipped if preferred.
For added flavor, consider seasoning the chicken or adding spices such as cumin or chili powder to the rice mixture.
Use fresh bell peppers for best texture and flavor.
The black beans add protein and fiber; you can substitute with pinto beans or omit if desired.
Use cooked Mexican rice for the filling, which can be made ahead or store-bought.
Be careful when blanching the peppers to prevent them from becoming too soft and difficult to handle.