Comforting Cheesy Chicken and Pepper Bake Recipe You’ll Keep Making

Craving a cheesy chicken & pepper bake that converts ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure?

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering dish that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Home cooks will adore how effortlessly these ingredients combine to create something magical.

Robust flavors meld together, creating a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

The combination of tender chicken, melted cheese, and vibrant peppers promises a meal that satisfies deep hunger and delights the senses.

Families and friends will gather around the table, eagerly anticipating each delectable bite.

Warm, hearty, and impossible to resist, this recipe delivers pure culinary comfort.

The Comfort Appeal of Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake

• Effortless Flavor Explosion: Combines zesty Cajun seasoning, creamy cream cheese, and spicy pepper Jack for a mouthwatering taste experience that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish.
• Simple Stuffing Technique: Creates a professional-looking stuffed chicken by easily cutting a slit and filling with herbed cream cheese, making home cooks feel like gourmet chefs without complicated skills.
• One-Pan Wonder: Streamlines cooking by layering peppers and chicken in a single baking dish, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without extensive kitchen work.
• Nutritious and Colorful Meal: Delivers a vibrant plate packed with protein-rich chicken and colorful bell peppers, offering a balanced and visually appealing dinner that's both satisfying and healthy.

What Goes Into a Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main body of the dish, best when fresh and of high quality.
• Cream Cheese: Rich and creamy filling for chicken, provides extra moisture and tangy flavor.

• Pepper Jack Cheese: Adds spicy and melty topping, brings additional zest to the dish.
• Cajun Seasoning: Provides bold, spicy flavor profile to coat the chicken exterior.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential basic seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Thyme Leaves: Fresh herb that adds aromatic and earthy undertones, great for garnishing.

• Bell Peppers: Colorful base layer that creates moisture and adds sweet, roasted flavor to the dish.

How to Bake This Cheesy Chicken Favorite

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 13″ x 9″ baking dish and get ready for a delicious adventure.

Step 2: Create Pepper Base

Spread sliced peppers across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a colorful foundation for your meal.

Step 3: Prepare Cream Cheese Filling

• Cut one half into 8 rectangular slices
• Place these slices aside for later
• Transfer remaining half to a small mixing bowl
• Add fresh thyme
• Sprinkle in salt and pepper
• Mix thoroughly until well combined

Step 4: Stuff the Chicken

• Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels
• Carefully cut a long slit on the thickest side of each breast
• Avoid cutting completely through the meat
• Gently fill the pocket with cream cheese mixture
• Seal the opening by pinching edges together
• Generously coat the outside with Cajun seasoning

Step 5: Arrange and Top the Dish

• Position stuffed chicken breasts over the pepper layer
• Place 2 cream cheese slices on top of each chicken breast
• Sprinkle generously with shredded pepper Jack cheese

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cook in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part- it should reach 165°F (74°C).

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

• Transfer chicken to a serving platter
• Spoon peppers and cooking juices over the chicken
• Scatter fresh thyme leaves on top
• Serve immediately and enjoy your delectable creation!

Tips That Make the Bake Extra Gooey

• Slice Peppers Strategically: Cut peppers into uniform, thin strips to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Seal Chicken Stuffing Securely: Press the edges of the chicken breasts firmly to prevent the cream cheese mixture from leaking during baking.
• Pat Chicken Dry Thoroughly: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture, helping the Cajun seasoning stick better and promoting a crispy exterior.
• Check Internal Temperature Carefully: Use a reliable meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is fully cooked without becoming dry or tough.
• Let Chicken Rest Briefly: Allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes after baking, which helps redistribute juices and makes the meat more tender and flavorful.

Save Leftovers Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken and peppers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Alternatively, use the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking periodically to ensure even heating and maintain moisture.

Great Sides to Serve With This Bake

• Craft a Zesty Wine Companion: Choose a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the spicy Cajun seasoning and creamy cream cheese.
• Design a Fresh Side Salad Partner: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy chicken and cut through the dish's decadent flavors.
• Select a Hearty Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread or herbed focaccia to soak up the delicious pepper juices and provide a satisfying textural contrast.
• Create a Cool Beverage Match: Offer a chilled cucumber-mint mocktail or light beer to refresh the palate and counteract the dish's spicy and creamy elements.

Variations to Keep It Fresh

• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Replace Cajun seasoning with chipotle powder and add black beans and corn between pepper layers for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap thyme for oregano and basil, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle with kalamata olives for a Greek-style transformation.
• Creamy Mushroom Enhancement: Add sautéed mushrooms between pepper layers, use goat cheese instead of cream cheese, and garnish with fresh parsley for an earthy, rich variation.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute bell peppers with roasted cauliflower florets, use a lighter cream cheese blend, and top with crispy pancetta for a keto-friendly option.

Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cheesy chicken & pepper bake delivers a mouthwatering blend of tender chicken, melted cheese, and colorful bell peppers. Comfort meets flavor in this simple, satisfying dish that promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each)

Cheese Ingredients:

• 1 cream cheese block (8 ounces)
• 2 ounces pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Seasonings and Vegetables:

• 14 ounces mini sweet peppers, seeded, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing a spacious baking dish with a layer of colorful bell pepper slices covering the bottom surface.
2. Create a creamy thyme-infused filling by blending half the cream cheese with aromatic herbs, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
3. Carefully butterfly each chicken breast by making a precise horizontal cut along the thickest side, creating a pocket without slicing completely through.
4. Generously stuff the chicken pockets with the herbed cream cheese mixture, ensuring a tight seal by pinching the edges closed with fingertips.
5. Enhance the chicken’s exterior with a robust dusting of Cajun seasoning, coating each breast thoroughly for maximum flavor intensity.
6. Delicately position the seasoned, stuffed chicken breasts atop the pepper foundation in the baking dish, strategically placing additional cream cheese slices on each piece.
7. Liberally sprinkle pepper Jack cheese over the chicken, creating a melty, golden blanket of dairy goodness.
8. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to roast until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, typically around 30 minutes.
9. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a serving platter, accompanied by the roasted peppers and their flavorful pan juices.
10. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for a final aromatic touch before presenting this vibrant, cheesy chicken creation.

Notes

• Prep like a pro by patting chicken dry to ensure crispy, golden seasoning that locks in maximum flavor.
• Create a flavor explosion by stuffing chicken with herbed cream cheese, transforming ordinary breasts into a decadent main dish.
• Cajun seasoning provides a spicy kick that elevates the entire meal, giving each bite a zesty southwestern-style punch.
• Layering peppers underneath chicken allows them to absorb delicious meat juices, creating a built-in veggie side dish with incredible depth.
• Always use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe 165°F, preventing dry meat and ensuring perfect, juicy results.
• Fresh thyme leaves sprinkled on top add a bright, aromatic finish that brings restaurant-quality finesse to your home-cooked meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 49 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg