Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Ingredients
Poblano Peppers
- 4 poblano peppers
Stuffing
- 1 cup rice cooked
- 1 cup black beans
- 2/3 cup corn frozen or fresh
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1 cup canned tomatoes cherry tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
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Begin by cutting up each poblano pepper in half, and remove any seeds.
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On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, place the cut peppers with the cut side facing up.
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Wile you may bake the peppers for 10 minutes to soften it, we prefer baking it once stuffed. This way the peppers will soften but still have some texture.
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In a large bowl, add all the filling ingredients together.
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Mix all the seasoning blend of spices in a small bowl. We used salt and pepper along with garlic powder, Mexican oregano and chilli powder. Also some cumin and chilli flakes. Feel free to adjust the level of spice to your taste, keeping in mind the peppers have some spice as well.
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Once the spices and filling ingredients have beeb mixed in, it's time to add the cheese. We prefer adding the cheese as the final ingredient to make sue all the spices and filling are well blended first.
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Take a spoon and stuff the poblano pepper halves with the filling generously. Since the rice and all ingredients all are all precooked already, the filling will not be expanding in the oven. For that you can fill the peppers all the way.
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Bake the peppers until they have softened and the filling is hot.
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Now sprinkle some more cheese on top and return to the oven to bake for another 5 minutes.
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Remove when the cheese has melted.
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Garnish the stuffed poblanos with more cilantro on top and enjoy right away!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Stuffed Poblano Peppers Tips
- Chose poblano peppers that are about the same size so the cook evenly.
- If you prefer soft and melt in your mouth stuffed peppers, then pre-bake the peppers before stuffing them for 10 minutes. And when they bake again with the filling, they will reach that texture.
- Today's recipe has pepper that offer a soft bite as that's our preference.
- When it comes to the filing, feel free to make it entirely vegetarian by skipping the cooked chicken. We love adding protein and using leftovers here.
- It's best of you can shred your cheese at home for this recipe, and almost every recipe.
- Use a combo or your favorite cheese.
- This recipe is best served with dollops of sour cream!
Stuffed Poblanos Variations
- Cheesy Stuffed Poblanos: Rich, comforting and cheesy
- Ground Beef Stuffed Poblanos: Savory and hearty
- Chicken Stuffed Poblanos: Lighter but still filling, and super convenient especially when made with rotisserie chicken.
- Vegetarian Stuffed Poblanos: Beans, grains, vegetables only, and you can add tofu.
- Mediterranean Stuffed Poblanos: Herbs, rice, feta cheese, olives and olive oil
- Low Carb Stuffed Poblanos: Protein and vegetables only
- Best for meal prep: Rice and protein fillings mostly instead of veggies that can wilt.
Are Poblanos Spicy?
Poblanos are generally mild with an earthy flavor with low to moderate heat. Some peppers may occasionally be hotter depending on growing conditions. Compared to jalapeno which are medium heat, these are
Poblano vs Bell Pepper
- Poblanos are smoky, earthy and mildly spicy
- Bell peppers are sweet and mild
Poblano vs Anaheim
- Poblanos are thicker and richer
- Anaheim are lighter and milder
Stuffed Poblanos vs Chiles Rellenos
- Stuffed poblanos: broader filling flexibility
- Chiles Rellenos: traditionally battered and fried
Why Do I have Watery Stuffed Peppers
- Filling is too wet
- Peppers were not roasted properly
What if My Peppers Collapsed
Overcooked or overstuffed peppers will always collapse during stuffing.
Why are they Too Spicy
If you got the spicy peppers and the seeds or membranes were not removed fully, you'll end up with a spicy dish.
What if I have A Dry Filling
If you didn't add enough moisture or cheese and olive oil in the filling, you will end up with a dry filling.
Why Do I have Split Peppers
They were overfilled or handled too aggressively as you stuffed them.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for a few days, it should hold well even for meal prep for 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze after baking for best texture
- Reheating: Reheat covered with some foil to preserve the moisture
Stuffed Poblano Pepper Variations / What Can I stuff Poblano Peppers With?
- Use cooked meat like those Ground Beef Nachos or even cooked lamb from those Lamb Tacos.
- Make it entirely vegetarian!
- Use a variety of cheese or use cotija for a salty and different variation.
- Change the seasoning blend to a chipotle spice, or add chipotle peppers to the filling.
- When ready, feel free to drizzle sauces over the peppers! Chipotle sauce, Poblano Sauce, Avocado crema, Sour cream, Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe, Hot Pepper Sauce and more!
How hot are Poblano Peppers?
They are definitely not classified as one of the hot peppers, however they do still have a level of heat. If you know the Scoville heat unit scale where bell peppers are a zero. The poblanos are 1000-1500, while jalapeños are about 3,000-8,000.
Are Poblanos Good For you?
We actually feel that all food especially veggies are always good for you! These peppers have about 15 calories each and no fat, so with the hearty stuffing they're nutritious and filling!
Can you Freeze Poblano Peppers?
You can absolutely freeze them! There are two ways to go about it. 1. Freeze the uncooked peppers with the stuffing, ready to bake. Seal well before freezing and then that, bake as usual. 2. Freeze the cooked and cooled poblanos, seal well and reheat when thawed.
How to reheat Stuffed Poblano Peppers?
Best to reheat them in an oven safe dish at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes with a teaspoon of water. You can otherwise reheat it in the microwave too.
Do you peel poblano peppers before stuffing?
Often yes after roasting, though it’s optional.
Can stuffed poblanos be made ahead?
Yes, they work very well for meal prep.
Can stuffed poblanos be frozen?
Yes, especially after baking.
What cheese works best?
Melty cheeses that complement smoky peppers.