BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet mini bell peppers stuffed with shredded BBQ chicken and melted cheese make a perfect high-protein snack or appetizer. This American-inspired recipe (high protein), ready in about 25 minutes, turns mini bell peppers, cooked chicken breast, BBQ sauce into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 12 halved and seeded mini bell peppers with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Arrange pepper halves cut side up on a baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  3. Step 3: Spoon the BBQ chicken mixture evenly into each mini bell pepper half, then sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 15 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes