Transform your dinner routine with these delightful buffalo chicken peppers. This recipe combines the bold flavors of buffalo sauce with the creamy richness of ranch dressing, all nestled within vibrant bell peppers. It's a perfect blend of spicy and savory, offering a satisfying meal that's both easy to prepare and sure to impress. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply looking for a new way to enjoy chicken, these stuffed peppers are a delicious choice.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might want to pay special attention to the buffalo sauce. It's a spicy, tangy sauce typically used for coating chicken wings. If you're not familiar with it, look for it in the condiment aisle near the hot sauces. Additionally, ensure you have ranch dressing, which is a creamy salad dressing often found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket. These two ingredients are key to achieving the signature flavor of this dish.
Ingredients For Buffalo Chicken Peppers
Bell peppers: These are hollow vegetables that serve as the base for stuffing. They add a sweet and crunchy texture.
Chicken: Shredded and cooked, this is the main protein component of the dish, providing a hearty filling.
Buffalo sauce: A spicy and tangy sauce that gives the dish its signature kick and flavor.
Ranch dressing: A creamy dressing that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce with its cool, herby taste.
Cheddar or mozzarella cheese: Shredded cheese that melts over the peppers, adding a gooey, savory finish.
Green onions: Chopped and used as a garnish, they add a fresh, mild onion flavor.
Technique Tip for Making This Dish
When preparing the bell peppers, ensure they are evenly halved and properly seeded to create a stable base for stuffing. To enhance the flavor, consider lightly roasting the bell peppers in the oven for about 5 minutes before stuffing them. This will bring out their natural sweetness and add a slight char, complementing the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing mixture. When mixing the shredded chicken with the sauces, ensure the chicken is well-coated to maintain moisture and flavor throughout the baking process. For a more robust flavor, try using a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, as the combination provides both sharpness and creaminess.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
bell peppers - Substitute with poblano peppers: Poblano peppers offer a mild heat and a similar shape, making them a great alternative for stuffing.
shredded cooked chicken - Substitute with shredded cooked turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement for chicken.
buffalo sauce - Substitute with sriracha mixed with melted butter: This combination mimics the spicy and buttery flavor of buffalo sauce.
ranch dressing - Substitute with blue cheese dressing: Blue cheese dressing offers a tangy and creamy alternative that pairs well with buffalo flavors.
cheddar or mozzarella shredded cheese - Substitute with monterey jack cheese: Monterey Jack melts well and provides a mild flavor that complements the dish.
chopped green onions - Substitute with chopped chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
Allow the buffalo chicken peppers to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the peppers soggy.
For short-term storage, place the stuffed peppers in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This keeps the flavors fresh and the texture intact.
If you plan to enjoy them later, consider freezing. Wrap each pepper half individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they maintain their shape and prevents freezer burn.
Place the wrapped peppers in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. Label with the date for easy tracking. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to eat, thaw the peppers in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain their texture and flavor.
Reheat in the oven at 350°f (175°c) for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. This method keeps the cheese melty and the peppers tender.
For a quicker option, use the microwave. Place the peppers on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warmed through, ensuring the chicken is hot and the cheese is bubbly.
Garnish with fresh green onions after reheating to revive the dish with a burst of color and flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover buffalo chicken peppers in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying out, and bake for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. This method helps maintain the tenderness of the bell peppers and the gooeyness of the cheese.
For a quicker option, use a microwave. Place the stuffed peppers on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to retain moisture, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes. Check and continue heating in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.
If you prefer a crispy cheese topping, try reheating in a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C), place the peppers on a tray, and heat for about 10-15 minutes. This method gives the cheese a delightful crispiness while keeping the peppers juicy.
For those with an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the buffalo chicken peppers in the basket, ensuring they don’t overlap, and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method provides a quick and even reheating, preserving the flavors and texture beautifully.
Essential Tools for Making This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the stuffed peppers until they are tender and the cheese is melted.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing.
Baking dish: Holds the stuffed peppers while they bake in the oven.
Knife: Used to halve and seed the bell peppers.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for cutting and preparing the bell peppers.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded cheese.
Spoon: Used to stuff the bell peppers with the chicken mixture.
Grater: If using a block of cheese, this is used to shred the cheese.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Prepare the filling in advance: Cook and shred the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This will make assembling the stuffed peppers quick and easy.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by using pre-shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese instead of grating it yourself.
Opt for store-bought sauces: Choose ready-made buffalo sauce and ranch dressing to cut down on preparation time.
Preheat the oven early: Turn on the oven before you start assembling the dish to ensure it's ready when you are.
Chop green onions in bulk: Prepare a larger batch of green onions and store them for future recipes.
Buffalo Chicken Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers halved and seeded
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or mozzarella
- 2 tablespoon green onions chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing.
- Stuff each bell pepper half with the chicken mixture.
- Place stuffed peppers in a baking dish and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Pairing Suggestions: Appetizers and Desserts
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