Stuffed Poblano Peppers - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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A fiesta of flavors and colors, these stuffed poblano peppers are flavorful, gorgeous, and surprisingly easy to make.

I often make a double batch because the leftovers are just as good as the freshly made peppers.

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These stuffed poblanos are bursting with flavor! The combination of peppers, shredded chicken, and melted cheese is phenomenal.

And while it may look like a complex recipe, it's easy, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Mexican Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The recipe card below includes the complete list and exact measurements. Here's an overview and some comments:

  • Olive oil: I love cooking with this flavorful oil. You can also use avocado oil.
  • Poblano peppers: They are widely available in supermarkets, usually in an area dedicated to spicy chile peppers.
  • Tomatoes: Try to pick red, ripe-yet-firm tomatoes.
  • Onion and garlic: It's fine to use jarred minced garlic, although freshly minced tastes better.
  • Seasonings: I use kosher salt, dried oregano, and ground cumin.
  • Shredded cooked chicken breast: You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken. Just make sure to remove the skin. Its texture won't work in this recipe.
  • Shredded cheeses: I use mozzarella and cheddar.
  • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a great flavor to this dish.

Variations

  • Sometimes, I use a pound of cooked and drained ground beef instead of chicken.
  • Instead of mixing mozzarella into the chicken mixture, you can mix softened cream cheese or a shredded Mexican cheese blend. I especially like cream cheese.
  • You can experiment with other melty cheese. Fontina, asiago, and provolone all work in this recipe. I especially like provolone.
  • You can make this recipe with bell peppers for those who dislike spicy food.
  • Smoked paprika is an excellent addition to the spices used in this recipe. I sometimes add one teaspoon.
  • If you don't like cilantro, you can use parsley instead.

Instructions

The detailed instructions for making these stuffed poblano peppers are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps:

You start by prepping the poblanos. Remove a thin layer from their top, remove the seeds and membranes, then cut a slit down their side.

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Cook tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices in olive oil. Remove the pan from the heat and mix in cooked shredded chicken, mozzarella, and cilantro.

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Stuff the chicken mixture into the poblanos and bake them in a broiler-safe pan.

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The last step is to sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of the peppers and broil them to melt the cheese.

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Expert Tip

If you can only find small peppers, you can use them to make this recipe, using 8-10 peppers instead of four. You can also mix different pepper sizes and bake them together.

As you can see in the photo below, when filming the video for this recipe, I used three medium peppers and four small ones (that's what was available at the farmers' market) and baked them all together for 30 minutes. They all turned out great!

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Recipe FAQs

Are poblano peppers very spicy?

Poblanos have mild to medium heat according to the Scoville Scale. They are significantly milder than jalapenos, for example. Most adults find their heat level tolerable.

However, in my experience, the heat level is too high for children and adults who dislike spicy food. If you're one of them, use bell peppers instead of poblanos, or make these stuffed bell peppers.

Can poblanos irritate your skin?

Yes. Although they are relatively mild, they contain capsaicin, which can be irritating for some people.

I recommend wearing gloves when handling poblano peppers, especially if you know you're sensitive.

Can you eat poblano peppers raw?

You can. When eaten raw, they have a crisp texture and a fresh flavor. You can dice them and add them to salads. But in my opinion, they taste better when cooked. Cooking also softens their skin, which can be fibrous.

Should I remove the skin?

Poblano skin is edible, but some people find it unpleasant to eat and prefer to remove it. I don't remove the skin.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve stuffed poblano peppers as an appetizer, one per person. But I often serve two per person as our main course. You can serve them with toppings such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

When I serve these peppers as a main course, I add a simple side such as:

  • Arugula salad
  • Tomato salad
  • Cucumber salad
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Microwave broccoli
  • Sauteed spinach

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power, or in a 300°F oven.

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More Mexican Recipes

  • Chicken Fajitas
  • Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
  • Pork Rind Keto Nachos
  • Keto Taco Salad

Recipe Card

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4.97 from 1929 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

A fiesta of flavors and colors, these stuffed poblano peppers are delicious, gorgeous, and surprisingly easy to make.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Rest time5 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 4 peppers

Calories: 300kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • Olive oil spray
  • 4 poblano peppers medium-sized, 1 pound total weight with refuse, 12 ounces cleaned weight
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tomatoes medium, diced (10 ounces)
  • ½ onion medium, diced (4 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded (10 ounces)
  • 1 cup part-skim mozzarella shredded (4 ounces)
  • ½ cup cilantro chopped
  • ½ cup sharp cheddar shredded (2 ounces)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed oven and broiler-safe baking sheet with foil and spray it with oil.

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  • Rinse and dry the poblanos. Cut a thin slice off the tops and remove the core and seeds. Cut a slit all the way down the side of each pepper. Set aside.

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  • Prepare the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt, oregano, and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until the liquids have evaporated, 5-7 minutes. Off heat, stir in the chicken, mozzarella, and cilantro, mixing well.

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  • Divide the filling among the peppers, adding it from the top and pressing it to fill the entire pepper. Pack the filling into each pepper to prevent it from spilling onto the baking sheet.

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  • Place the peppers on the prepared baking sheet, slit side up. Lightly spray them with olive oil. Bake until the poblanos are soft and charred in places, about 30 minutes (the smell will be amazing!).

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  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and switch the oven to broil. Top the peppers with the cheddar cheese, sprinkling the cheese on the open part where you've cut the slit.

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  • Broil the peppers 6 inches below the heating element (not directly below) just until the cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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Video

Notes

  • Protecting your hands with gloves while handling poblano peppers is a good idea.
  • In addition to oregano and cumin, I sometimes add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the filling.
  • If you can only find small poblanos, you can use them to make this recipe, using 8-10 peppers instead of four. You can also mix different pepper sizes and bake them all together.
  • If you don't like spicy food, you can make this recipe with bell peppers.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power, or in a 300°F oven.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1stuffed poblano | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 547mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Chicken Recipes

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About the Author

Stuffed Poblano Peppers - Healthy Recipes Blog (36) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Robert Bell

    Stuffed Poblano Peppers - Healthy Recipes Blog (37)
    Amazing. I didn’t have mozzarella, so I substituted 1/4 cup feta and 3/4 cup sharp white cheddar. I also flat topped the chicken after beating it flat. I will make again.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Robert! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Reply

  2. Skip

    Stuffed Poblano Peppers - Healthy Recipes Blog (38)
    These are great. I made no changes except I made a Mexican roux and added jalapenos as I love the heat. Wonderful eating. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      So glad you like them! Thanks for the comment.

      Reply

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Stuffed Poblano Peppers - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Are poblano peppers healthy? ›

Takeaway. Poblano peppers are a mild variety of chili peppers that are highly nutritious and equally delicious. They're rich in vitamins A and C, carotenoids, capsaicin, and other compounds that may act as antioxidants, have anticancer activity, and fight inflammation.

Are poblano peppers anti inflammatory? ›

2.3 Poblano peppers can be anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving Capsaicin can also be anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving. Some studies show that Capsaicin binds to nerve cells, thus having analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

What is the best way to eat poblano peppers? ›

Poblano peppers are great to use in stuffed pepper recipes like Chiles Rellenos. They can also make a great addition to soups and cheese dishes like quesadillas and cream sauces for a peppery and slightly smoky flavor.

How do you keep stuffed peppers from getting soggy? ›

To prevent it from happening, you should try to avoid or reduce excess moisture – here are three of the things you can do:
  1. Pre-cook Peppers. ...
  2. Use Leftover Rice. ...
  3. Save Cheese for the Topping.

Are poblano peppers good for diabetics? ›

Because of the antioxidants in poblano pepper, it helps to prevent many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, as well as protects your eyes and keeps skin looking healthy. These peppers also help to boost your immunity, relieve various types of pain and reduce chronic inflammation.

Are peppers good or bad for arthritis? ›

Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are all members of the nightshade family. These vegetables contain the chemical solanine, which some people claim aggravates arthritis pain and inflammation.

Why are poblano peppers so good? ›

You can use poblano peppers in many different dishes, making them a terrific grocery staple. Poblanos also contain vitamins A and C, making them a great source of nutrients. They also contain carotenoids, which can enhance your immune system's activity. There's a lot to love about this pepper.

Are poblano peppers better than bell peppers? ›

I encourage you to think about them for more, especially because they're available at many grocery stores along with the rest of the fresh peppers. As Maricel E. Presilla writes in “Gran Cocina Latina,” poblanos are “thinner-skinned and more flavorful than the bell pepper.” Those are notable advantages.

What happens if you don't peel poblano peppers? ›

They need to be roasted and peeled before cooking to remove the tough outer skin which is difficult to digest.

Do you take the skin off of poblano peppers? ›

Once charred and hot place them in a plastic bag, close it tightly and let them sweat for 10 to 20 minutes. Third, peel and rinse. Preferably under a thin stream of cold water, remove the charred skin which should come right off. Make a slit down one side of the pepper and remove the cluster of seeds and veins.

Do you have to boil peppers before stuffing them? ›

The peppers need to be par-cooked before filling so that they cook through. Many recipes call for boiling the peppers first, but I prefer to roast them – more flavor and less cleanup!

How to stop stuffed peppers from being watery? ›

Following the logic of precooking your peppers to safeguard against sogginess, you should also avoid watery ingredients in your stuffing. Let's say your filling calls for tomato sauce. Rather than spooning it directly into your hollowed peppers, reduce it on the stove until it's thick.

Why do my stuffed peppers taste bland? ›

The thing about most stuffed bell pepper recipes is 3that they call for salt in the filling, not for the peppers themselves. Without salt, the peppers are flabby and bland, merely a filling case. With a sprinkle of salt, they transform into a sweet and powerfully savory part of the dish.

What are the most nutritious peppers? ›

Red peppers pack the most nutrition, because they've been on the vine longest. Bell peppers come in a range of colors, including red (the sweetest), orange, yellow, and green.

Is my poblano pepper bad? ›

Soft spots, discoloration, or an off-odor are the ways to identify a poblano pepper past its prime. Next, the skin begins to wrinkle. If the entire pepper isn't wrinkled, the bad spots can be cut off, and the rest of the pepper can be dried or frozen. But, as poblano peppers age, they may lose their spice.

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