These Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Peppers are quick, easy, and totally tasty!

You guys are totally going to hate me, but I’ve been holding out on you. I have been sitting on a mini-arsenal of recipes for weeks. WEEKS.

Hello worst food blogger ever! I contemplated stashing them away for the cookbook I’ve been dying to write, but I knew that if I didn’t get some of these into your face fast enough, there would be cause for revolt.

Please don’t revolt. I love you. I’ll feed you guys forever if you just eat your veggies and never leave me. Even when I make terrible, cheesy jokes and then run away for weeks at a time because I’m too stir crazy to sit at a computer.

That’s one of the reasons I love you guys btw, many of you have been putting up with my antics for years! I could probably name a few of you that have been with me for nearly FIVE of them since starting this crazy little corner of the internet oh so long ago. In fact, I could probably blow your mind by telling you that I had a super-embarassing website before this one that I’d been working on since middle school. Yes, middle school. Don’t try to use that to calculate my age or I’ll inundate the blog with beet recipes and bowls of soggy cereal or something equally atrocious. Besides, since I was sick on my birthday this year, it totally doesn’t count.

Seriously, it’s science.

So anyways, thank you for always being here for me though my insane flightiness, even if you only do so for the food. There will always be food, pinky swear.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Peppers

I feel like I really need to stress the awesomeness that is this dish. I’d scream it from the rooftops in all caps if it wasn’t uber obnoxious. In case you ever doubted it, a stuffed pepper spin on the classic chicken and broccoli casserole is the foodie equivalent of finding a twenty dollar bill in an old jacket. It’s like getting free guac at chipotle awesome, and you know few things can top that!

Of course it’s not rocket science by any means, and it’s easy enough to make that these bad boys are sure to become a regular in your home! Chicken, broccoli, and cheese are one of the most classic of pairings. It just works. It works stuffed inside a casserole dish, it works on a pizza… or a sandwich… or even a soup…. and ohmygooooooosh it works stuffed into peppers. In fact it BEGS to be stuffed into peppers. Why haven’t you done this already!? Why haven’t I?!?

Let’s remedy that, shall we?

5 from 4 votes Print Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Peppers These Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Peppers are quick, easy, and totally tasty! Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 40 minutes Servings 10 servings Calories 186 kcal Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons Ingredients 5 bell peppers

1 bunch of broccoli

10 oz cooked* chicken breast

1 cup freshly grated gouda cheese

1/4 cup cream

1-2 TBSP fresh chopped parsley (optional)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp salt extra to taste

1 clove of garlic minced

1/2 TBSP butter

1/4-1/2 cup gouda or cheddar for topping Instructions Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice the tops off of each bell pepper [or leave on for a bit of foodie flair!] then cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the stem from your broccoli [set aside for later use] so you're left with 3 crowns of broccoli. Next fill a large bowl with ice and water and set aside. Bring a large pot, filled to about 3/4 with water, to boil and add your bell peppers. Blanch in boiling water for 3 min then immediately submerge into the ice bath to halt the cooking process and prevent soggy peppers. Remove from ice bath after they've cooled and pat dry. Set aside. You can absolutely steam your broccoli instead, but to save time and yield perfectly tender results, I blanched my broccoli immediately after the peppers were removed from the pot. Simply submerge broccoli into boiling water and blanch for about four minutes or until broccoli is bright green and perfectly tender. If you like yours a little softer, add an extra minute or two to the cook time. Strain broccoli, dip in the ice bath, pat with paper towels and set aside. Next grab a cutting board and chop your cooked chicken and broccoli into small chunks. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, chicken, freshly grated gouda or cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and spices. You can absolutely substitute melted cream cheese for the cream if you prefer, or skip it altogether for a lighter option. It's addition in the recipe is to channel the classic chicken and broccoli casserole and add creaminess to the chicken. Next microwave 1/2 a teaspoon of butter with one large minced clove of garlic and cook for 30 seconds to soften. Sautéing will also work! Add buttery garlic to the chicken mixture and mix well. Arrange peppers on a non-stick or parchment paper lined rimmed baking pan or dish. Stuff each with the cheesy broccoli mixture and top with a little extra cheese, to taste. Bake 350 center rack for 15-25 minutes, or until your ideal level of tenderness. Remove foil and broil on high for 1-2 minutes for golden bubbly cheese. Garnish with extra parsley and red pepper flakes as desired. Fresh green onion or chives also makes a yummy edible garnish. Have fun with it! Recipe Notes Use leftover broccoli stems for THIS salad to prevent waste! You can also shred it into homemade broccoli slaw! YUM! *I baked several chicken breasts the night before to prep meals for the week, setting one aside for these yummy stuffed peppers. Feel free to follow suit or to cook yours up at the beginning of this recipe via your favorite method. Baking or Poaching is usually uber easy. Grilling works too! Nutrition Facts Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Peppers Amount Per Serving Calories 186 Calories from Fat 90 % Daily Value* Fat 10g 15% Saturated Fat 6g 38% Cholesterol 56mg 19% Sodium 325mg 14% Potassium 456mg 13% Carbohydrates 8g 3% Fiber 2g 8% Sugar 4g 4% Protein 14g 28% Vitamin A 2585IU 52% Vitamin C 131.2mg 159% Calcium 211mg 21% Iron 0.9mg 5% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

special diets and swaps

brontosaurus chefs: skip the chicken and add mushrooms + extra broccoli and you’re ready to veggie!

skip the chicken and add mushrooms + extra broccoli and you’re ready to veggie! t-rex chefs: you’re good to go, have at it!

you’re good to go, have at it! vegansaurus chefs: these are a little tricky to manipulate without using faux cheeses and changing the recipe entirely BUT I do have a really rockin’ Hummus Stuffed Peppers recipe for ya!

These stuffed peppers are a fantastic use for leftover chicken, especially if you prep your proteins for the week. The entire cheesy chicken and veggie filling can be made ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days in advance and stuffed into bell peppers and baked when you’re ready to chow down! Hello awesome!

but really . . . how was it?

I’m certain you don’t need more convincing, but in case you need that extra push, I’m going to have to insist you stuff these stuff peppers into your face as soon as possible! They’re SO GOOD! I think my friends only complaint was that I didn’t make enough to go around at our little impromptu backyard barbecue. Next time I’ll double the recipe and squirrel a few away for leftovers too! YUM!

What are you waiting for? Make these Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Peppers right MEOW!