High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

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

Bell peppers filled with shredded BBQ chicken and black beans, baked until tender for a protein-packed, flavorful meal. This American-inspired high-protein recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs large bell peppers, cooked chicken breast, BBQ sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over 4 large bell peppers cut and seeded, then place upright in a baking dish.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast, 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1 cup drained black beans, 1/2 cup corn kernels, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix well.
  3. Step 3: Spoon the BBQ chicken mixture evenly into each bell pepper, packing gently. Top each with about 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
  4. Step 4: Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large bell peppers from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed 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 High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

What goes well with High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers?

American high protein like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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