So if you read the Pumpkin Pie Protein Pancakes recipe post, you know I’m set on ACTUALLY carving a pumpkin this year. Well, it has yet to happen. That doesn’t mean I’m not in the Halloween spirit. Au contraire. The time not spent making Jack-o-Lanterns was filled with getting lost in a corn maze, being chased by chain saws in a Haunted House (that is a great way to get in your cardio for the day, by the way), and carving some bell peppers! Yes, you heard that correctly. In the spirit of Halloween, I turned your average stuffed peppers recipe into a Spooktacular one! 😉
Aside from being really cute and festive, there’s a couple things I love about this recipe. For one, it’s healthy, duh. These stuffed peppers are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, protein, and healthy fats. They’re also delicious with a great texture combination of soft and crunchy and kid approved. I don’t have any kids myself, but what child wouldn’t be ecstatic to eat out of a Jack-o-Lantern?! And even more appealing for you, they’re super easy and quick to make during a time of year that just seems to be busier and busier.
Whether you’re hosting a costume party, trying to get your kids to eat vegetables, or want to add a little flare to your weekly meal prep, this gluten-free, paleo, low-carb, high protein, nutrient-rich recipe for Stuffed Jack-o-Lantern Peppers will get you in the Halloween spirit.
Stuffed Jack-o-Lantern Peppers
Ingredients
4 large, orange bell peppers
6 oz skinless chicken breasts
½ cup kale
1.5 cups riced cauliflower (I love using the pre-cut packages from Trader Joe’s or Target. Otherwise, just put cut, raw cauliflower into a blender or food-processor until minced in the texture of rice)
1/3 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped almonds
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp olive oil
Pepper to taste
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
- Wrap chicken breasts in a couple paper towels and place on a flat surface, I used a cutting board. Using a heavy, flat object like a frying pan, pat the chicken until the breasts are a relatively even size throughout.
- Spray a non-stick cooking pan with coconut oil spray and heat on medium-high heat.
- Sprinkle the chicken with the garlic powder and black pepper.
- Pan sear the chicken until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Line a baking dish with tinfoil and spray with coconut oil cooking spray. Place the chicken on the baking dish. Sprinkle the top of the chicken with rosemary.
- Place in oven for 10-15 minutes. Flip the breasts and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, microwave the cauliflower rice in a microwavable-safe bowl for 5 to 5 ½ minutes.
- While the chicken and cauliflower are cooking, carve your bell peppers.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the top off each bell pepper horizontally. Set tops aside (do not discard) Remove all seeds and membranes. Rinse and pat the peppers dry with a paper towel. Use a small paring knife to cut holes into the exterior of the peppers to make jack-o-lantern faces. If peppers don’t stand upright, use the knife to slice a small amount from the bottom to flatten the surface.
- Once the chicken is done baking, chop into bit-sized pieces.
- Spray a non-stick cooking pan with coconut oil spray and heat on medium-high heat.
- Cook mushrooms and almonds on the pan until the mushrooms are soft and the almonds are aromatic and slightly toasted.
- Add cauliflower, kale, chopped chicken, olive oil, and some more pepper to the pan and stir until contents are combined.
So tell me, have you ever carved anything besides a pumpkin? What’s your favorite Halloween inspired recipe? Tell me in the comment box below!
Health and happiness,
Emily
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Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty. I look forward to what you will share next week! We hope you’ll come back again next Thursday when we open our doors at 9:00 AM EST. Pinned, Yummed, Tweeted!
They look super yummy and of course very pretty 🙂
Thanks Nadine! I realized they could’ve probably used a nose though :/
what a cute idea! my nieces will love these
Let me know how they react! 🙂
Not only are these freaking adorable, they sound delicious! I love the simplicity and also the fun look. VERY cool. I’ll be pinning this also 🙂
Thank you Sam!! 🙂
These are so cute! What a great idea 🙂
Thanks Michelle 🙂
I like to have stuffed peppers, although I usually stuff them with meat. I don’t know why I never thought of stuffing them with chicken before! I’m going to try your recipe next time I cook stuffed peppers, maybe I’ll even carve them! 🙂 They look sooooo cute!
Yay I’m so happy I could inspire you Fabiola 😀 let me know if you like them!
Such a cute idea! 😀
Thanks Sachie 🙂
Looks so yummy! I got to try these ☺️
Thanks Kali!!
These look so yummy and they’d be so fun to make on Halloween! What a creative idea. Thanks for sharing, Emily!
Thank you Liv!!! Yes do it! They’re so easy to make too and way less of a mess than pumpkins 😉
Great idea! I might even get my kids to like them!
#100HappyDays
Julie
I hope they do!!! Let me know, Julie 🙂
These are so cute. My friend introduced to to stuff bell peppers a while back I was shocked I liked them since they had the word “pepper” in the title lol
Haha I totally get what you mean! I love bell peppers :). Roasted, raw, with hummus, in salads or omelettes … so yummy!
How cute! And perfect for my gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo crowd. The stuffing looks delicious too.
I love stuffed peppers and jack o lanterns. Very cute.
Thank you Valerie 🙂
Ok, this is one of the cutest holiday ideas I have seen. Who things of these things???
Hehe thanks Carol!! 🙂 xo
Very cute idea with stuffed peppers. Wondering if the kids would eat them any better.
Thanks Candy :). Let me know if they do!