Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these sensational, low-carb Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers, infused with the irresistible, vibrant flavors of spicy Mexican street corn. This recipe is not just easy to make, but it’s also incredibly delicious and ready in just about 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a fantastic option for your meal prep.

Why These Mexican Street Corn Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers Are a Must-Try

If you’re searching for a meal that’s both healthy and bursting with flavor, look no further. Our ground chicken stuffed peppers are a culinary revelation, combining the best of lean protein with a vibrant, spicy filling. Here’s why this recipe deserves a spot in your regular rotation:

Packed with Lean, Clean Protein

At the heart of this dish is lean ground chicken, providing a fantastic source of protein without the extra fat. It’s a clean-eating dream! While ground turkey or even lean ground beef can certainly be substituted, the subtle flavor of ground chicken truly shines here, allowing the bold Mexican spices to take center stage. Each serving offers a satisfying portion of protein, making it ideal for muscle maintenance and overall well-being.

Naturally Low-Carb and Wholesome

Unlike many traditional stuffed pepper recipes that include rice, this version is intentionally low-carb. The bell peppers themselves form a natural, edible bowl, offering fiber and essential vitamins without adding unnecessary carbohydrates. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone following a low-carb, keto, or gluten-free diet. Of course, if you prefer, a small amount of cooked rice or quinoa could be incorporated into the mixture for a more traditional approach, but it’s absolutely not needed for a complete and delicious meal.

Inspired by the Irresistible Flavors of Mexican Street Corn

The secret to the incredible taste of these stuffed peppers lies in their inspiration: spicy Mexican street corn (Elote). The stuffing is wonderfully creamy, perfectly spiced, and generously studded with sweet corn kernels in every single bite. Imagine the smoky warmth of chili powder and cumin, the subtle heat of cayenne, combined with the creamy texture of sour cream or cream cheese, all nestled within a tender bell pepper. It’s a flavor explosion you won’t soon forget.

Perfect for Quick Weeknight Dinners and Efficient Meal Prep

Life gets busy, but healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe comes together incredibly fast, ready in just about 30 minutes from start to finish. Furthermore, these ground chicken stuffed peppers are an absolute dream for meal prepping. They keep beautifully in the fridge for several days and reheat quickly and easily, making them perfect for grab-and-go lunches or effortless dinners throughout the week. Just like our popular Healthy Italian Stuffed Peppers, these are designed for convenience without compromising on taste or nutrition.

Essential Ingredients for Your Stuffed Pepper Masterpiece

Crafting these delectable stuffed peppers requires a selection of fresh, flavorful ingredients that are easy to find. Each component plays a crucial role in building the dish’s signature taste and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

• Ground Chicken: The foundation of our flavorful filling. Opt for a lean ground chicken or even ground turkey for a healthier profile. The leaner the meat, the less fat you’ll render during cooking, keeping the dish light yet satisfying.
• Bell Peppers: These colorful vegetables serve as our edible bowls. While green bell peppers offer a slightly more bitter, earthy flavor, we highly recommend using red, orange, or yellow bell peppers for their inherent sweetness and vibrant color, which beautifully complements the Mexican-inspired filling. Any color will work perfectly, so feel free to mix and match!
• Corn: Frozen corn kernels are your best friend here. They’re convenient, require no pre-thawing or pre-cooking, and add a delightful sweetness and textural pop to the creamy filling. If fresh corn is in season, feel free to cut it off the cob for an even fresher taste.
• Green Chilies: These canned chilies are essential for adding that authentic Mexican kick. You’ll typically find them in the international or Mexican foods aisle of your grocery store. Choose “hot” for a fiery experience, or opt for “mild” or “medium” to suit your personal spice preference. They provide a wonderful depth of flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy.
• Aromatic Vegetables: Don’t forget the classics! A small white onion, finely chopped, provides a sweet and pungent base, while fresh garlic cloves, minced, infuse the dish with their aromatic charm. These two ingredients are crucial for building the flavor profile.
• Essential Seasoning: A carefully selected blend of spices brings the Mexican street corn inspiration to life. You’ll need:
  • Salt and Pepper: The fundamental flavor enhancers.
  • Chili Powder: Adds a rich, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor that is quintessential to Mexican cuisine.
  • Cayenne Pepper: For that desirable touch of heat. Adjust the amount to control the spice level.
  • Paprika: Contributes a lovely red color and a mild, sweet pepper flavor.
  • Cumin: An aromatic spice with a warm, earthy, and slightly pungent flavor that is characteristic of many Mexican dishes.
• Tomato Paste: A small but mighty ingredient, tomato paste deepens the savory notes of the filling and adds a subtle umami richness, helping to bind the flavors together beautifully.
• Creamy Element: For that signature creamy texture reminiscent of street corn, you’ll incorporate either sour cream or cream cheese. Both work wonderfully, adding richness and a luscious mouthfeel to the chicken mixture.
• Cheese: No Mexican-inspired dish is complete without cheese! Mozzarella cheese is a classic choice for its meltability and mild flavor, but a Mexican blend cheese will amplify the theme. For a more authentic touch, crumbly cotija cheese sprinkled on top after baking would be phenomenal, offering a salty, tangy contrast.

You’ll find all precise measurements and additional details conveniently listed in the comprehensive recipe card below.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Making these flavorful stuffed peppers is straightforward and efficient. Follow these detailed steps to create a delicious meal that looks as good as it tastes:

Step One: Prepare the Bell Peppers for Baking

Begin by preheating your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). This ensures your oven is perfectly ready when the peppers are. Take your chosen bell peppers and, using a sharp knife, carefully slice them in half lengthwise. Remove and discard all the seeds and the stem, creating clean, open “bowls” for your filling. Arrange the pepper halves, cut-side up, on a baking sheet. Lightly spritz them with olive oil – this helps them soften and prevents sticking. Pop them into the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes. This initial bake will partially tenderize the peppers, ensuring they are perfectly soft when the dish is finished, and helps speed up the overall cooking time while you prepare the savory chicken filling.

Step Two: Craft the Flavorful Ground Chicken Mixture

While the bell peppers are in the oven, it’s time to prepare the heart of the dish. In a large skillet or pan, add 1 tsp of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add your ground chicken, chopped white onion, minced garlic, and all the seasonings (chili powder, salt, cayenne, pepper, paprika, and cumin). Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until it is fully browned and the onion has softened, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it’s well combined and coats the meat mixture, cooking for another minute to deepen its flavor. Next, add the frozen corn kernels and canned green chilies. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the corn to heat through and the flavors to meld. Finally, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sour cream or cream cheese until it’s melted and smoothly incorporated. This creates a wonderfully creamy and rich filling.

Step Three: Retrieve Peppers and Prepare for Stuffing

Once the ground chicken mixture is ready and the peppers have had their initial bake, carefully remove the bell peppers from the oven. Keep the oven set to 375ºF (190ºC); you’ll be putting them back in shortly. Set the cooked ground chicken mixture aside for a moment to allow it to cool slightly, making it easier to handle.

Step Four: Generously Stuff and Bake to Perfection

Now for the fun part! Using a spoon, generously fill each pre-baked bell pepper half with the savory ground chicken mixture. Don’t be shy – really push the mix into the pepper cavities, ensuring they are packed full. This helps the peppers hold their shape and provides a substantial serving. Once stuffed, sprinkle a generous amount of your chosen cheese (mozzarella, Mexican blend, or cotija) over the top of each pepper. Return the stuffed peppers to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. This final bake allows the flavors to truly meld and creates that irresistible cheesy crust.

Step Five: Serve and Enjoy

Once the peppers are out of the oven, let them cool for just a minute or two. This prevents burning your mouth and allows the cheese to set slightly. Serve these delightful Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers immediately! For an extra burst of freshness and flavor, top with chopped cilantro, a dollop of fresh salsa, or even sliced jalapeños if you crave more heat. Don’t hesitate to add any other favorite toppings or garnishes that complement the Mexican theme.

Any leftover stuffed peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, making them perfect for planned meals. For longer storage, they can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Perfect Companions: What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers

These Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers are a meal in themselves, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to complete your dining experience. Consider these complementary options:

• A refreshing Cobb Salad (without extra protein) provides a crisp, cool contrast to the warm, spicy peppers.
• For something to soak up any delicious juices, a side of Garlic Rolls or crusty bread is always a welcome addition.
• A light and tangy Greek Cucumber Salad offers a refreshing balance, cutting through the richness of the filling.
• If you’re looking to explore more Mexican-inspired chicken dishes, try our Green Chicken Chili Enchiladas Recipe for another fantastic meal.
• Simple cilantro lime rice or a fresh avocado salad would also be excellent choices.

If you absolutely adored this recipe, please let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from you. Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram & Pinterest for even more exciting and delicious recipes designed to make you feel fantastic from the inside out. Thank you for joining us on this culinary journey!

5 from 7 votes

Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers

By
Bailey Rhatigan

These spicy Mexican street corn inspired ground chicken stuffed peppers are low carb, easy to make and so insanely tasty. Ready in 30 minutes.

Prep:
10 mins

Cook:
20 mins

Servings:
4

Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe

Equipment

• baking sheet for the peppers
• large skillet or pan for the ground chicken mixture

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers, of any color , sliced in half seeds discarded
• 1 lb ground chicken , or ground turkey
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ small white onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1½ cup corn kernels
• 4 oz can green chilies, *see notes
• ⅓ cup sour cream, or cream cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella

Optional Toppings

• chopped cilantro
• Jalapeño
• salsa

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375º. Using a sharp knife slice the bell peppers in half lengthwise, discard seeds and stem.
2. Lay them flat, next to each other on a baking sheet. Spritz them with oil and place in the oven for about 10-15 minutes while you make the ground chicken mixture.
3. In a large skillet, add the ground chicken, seasoning and chopped onion. Let the meat brown, add the tomato paste and garlic stir well. Next add the corn and green chiles. Turn the heat off and stir in the sour cream or cream cheese.
4. Set the cooked ground chicken mixture to the side and pull the bell peppers out of the oven. Leave the oven on the 375º for the second round of baking.
5. Generously stuff the peppers with the cooked ground chicken mixture. Be sure to push the mix into the pepper and really stuff them. Add a generous amount of cheese on the peppers. Place back in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and melted.
6. Let the peppers cool for a minute or two and serve immediately. Top with chopped cilantro, salsa, and any other cravings.

Notes

• Use any pepper of choice.
• Taste the ground chicken mixture once it’s cooked. As always, please adjust salt or seasoning if desired.
• Use any cheese of choice.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 2halves
|
Calories: 448kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 23g
|
Protein: 27g
|
Fat: 18g
|
Saturated Fat: 7g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
|
Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
|
Trans Fat: 0.1g
|
Cholesterol: 120mg
|
Sodium: 750mg
|
Potassium: 1086mg
|
Fiber: 6g
|
Sugar: 11g
|
Vitamin A: 4366IU
|
Vitamin C: 161mg
|
Calcium: 122mg
|
Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Bailey Rhatigan

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Course:
Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine:
Mexican

Servings:
4

Calories:
448

Keyword:
Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!