Chicken Stuffed Chile Rellenos Recipes

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Looking for a flavorful and healthy dinner? Look no farther than the Chicken Stuffed Chile Rellenos! This bright meal elevates traditional comfort food to a new level. Roasted poblano chiles turn into edible boats loaded with flavorful chicken and melty cheese.

It's a taste explosion in every bite and surprisingly simple to prepare at home. Prepare to enjoy a delicious and healthy supper that will delight your taste senses!

Chicken Stuffed Chile Rellenos Recipes

These Chicken Chile Rellenos are about to become our new favorite weeknight meal. They're surprisingly easy to make (seriously, just 15 minutes prep!), and the flavor is out-of-this-world delicious.

This recipe is perfect for a cozy date night in, but it's also easily scalable to feed a crowd. Just double or triple the recipe depending on how many hungry mouths you need to satisfy!

Preparation time: 15 minutes.    Yield: 2 servings.    Cooking time: 45 minutes

Here's what we'll need (all easily found at your local grocery store):

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):

• 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here!)
• 2 large poblano peppers (or green bell peppers if poblanos are hard to find)
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped (we'll be saying goodbye to any eye irritation with this technique!)
• 1 clove of garlic, minced (fresh is best, but pre-minced works in a pinch)
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (remove the seeds for a milder flavor, or leave them in for some heat!) 
• 1/4 of a red bell pepper, chopped (adds a touch of sweetness)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1/4 cup) - don't skip this, it adds a bright, fresh flavor!
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (warms things up nicely)
• 1/4 cup cream cheese or mayonnaise (choose your favorite creamy binder)
• Hot sauce (to taste) - go wild if you like it spicy!
• 4 oz of Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese, coarsely grated (cheesy goodness!)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. First things first, let's preheat our oven to broil on medium heat. Then, we'll take our poblano peppers and slice them in half lengthwise. Think of them as little boats for all that delicious filling we're about to make!  Carefully scrape out the seeds with a spoon.
2. Now for the fun part - mixing the filling! In a big bowl, let's toss together the chopped onion, garlic, jalapeño, red pepper, cilantro, cumin, hot sauce (as much as you can handle!), shredded chicken, and 3/4 of the cheese. Don't forget a sprinkle of salt and pepper for extra flavor.  Once everything is well combined, we'll spoon this yummy mixture into our waiting poblano pepper boats. Top it all off with the remaining cheese.
3. Time to bake!  Gently place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish, making sure they're not directly under the broiler heat (the middle or bottom rack is perfect). We'll bake these beauties for 30-40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. 
4. Once they're out of the oven, all that's left to do is dig in! Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a lemon wedge for a pop of color and freshness.  Enjoy!❤️

Spicy Shrimp Chile Rellenos:

Spice things up! Swap the chicken for cooked, chopped shrimp. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling for an extra kick.

Saute the shrimp with a splash of lime juice and a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley before adding it to the filling for a delicious citrusy flavor.

Vegetarian Black Bean and Corn Chile Rellenos:

Go meatless! Mash a can of black beans with a fork, then combine it with a can of drained corn, chopped red onion, chopped bell pepper, and a sprinkle of chili powder.

Stuff the peppers with this flavorful mixture and top with your favorite melty cheese (queso fresco is a great option!).

Poblano Popper Appetizers:

Turn it into a party! Slice the poblano peppers into rings instead of halves. After deseeding, broil them for a few minutes to soften slightly.

Fill each ring with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cooked chorizo, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with your favorite salsa or guacamole for dipping.

Here's how we can incorporate those tips into our friendly recipe banter:

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Chile Rellenos:

Pick Your Pepper Pilots: Bigger is definitely better when it comes to poblano peppers for this recipe. They'll hold all that yummy filling without any leftover goodness going to waste!

Filling Flexibility: Feel free to get creative with your filling!  Not a chicken fan? Try subbing in shredded turkey, pork carnitas, or even ground beef. 

Skin Soother: If you're not a fan of the poblano pepper skin, you can easily remove it before stuffing. Simply broil the peppers whole for a few minutes in the oven. Then, wrap them tightly in foil or a sealed container to trap the steam. Once cool, the skins should peel right off with a knife. Easy!

Leftovers? We Got You Covered!

These Chicken Chile Rellenos are so good, there might not be any leftovers. But just in case, they'll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container.

To reheat, simply pop them in the oven at 350-400°F (180-200°C) covered with foil until warmed through. 

Here's why this Chicken Chile Rellenos recipe can be considered both love-worthy and healthy:

The "Love" Factor:

Flavor Explosion:  The combination of savory chicken, creamy cheese, roasted poblano peppers, and pops of fresh onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeño creates a flavor party in your mouth!

Comfort Food Classic:  This dish has a familiar and comforting feel, perfect for a cozy night in or a fun weeknight meal. 

Easy to Make & Customizable: It comes together quickly with minimal prep and offers endless possibilities for customization with different fillings and cheeses. 

Visually Appealing:  The vibrant green peppers and melty cheese make this dish a showstopper that will impress anyone at the table.

The Healthy Highlights:

Lean Protein:  Chicken breast is a great source of lean protein, keeping you feeling satisfied and energized.

Veggie Powerhouse:  Poblano peppers are loaded with vitamins A and C, while onions, garlic, and cilantro add antioxidants and vitamins. 

Creamy Choices:  Opt for reduced-fat cream cheese or low-fat Greek yogurt for a lighter and still delicious creamy element. 

Portion Control:  The recipe yields two servings, which helps with mindful eating and portion control. 

Customizable for Dietary Needs:  Easily adapt the recipe to be vegetarian with black beans or vegan with plant-based cheese alternatives.

By using these talking points, you can emphasize both the feel-good and health-conscious aspects of this Chicken Chile Rellenos recipe, making it even more appealing!