Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers

A low carb dinner that’s ready in 45 minutes — all the buffalo wing flavor, none of the mess.

You know that feeling when you want buffalo wings but you don’t want to deal with bones, napkins, and the ten minutes of hand washing afterward?

That’s exactly why I started making these.

Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers give you all that spicy, tangy, cheesy flavor you love, packed into a bell pepper instead of a wing. No mess. No bones. Just a fork and a plate.

I make these on busy weeknights when I want something that feels indulgent but isn’t going to wreck my whole evening in the kitchen. They come together in under an hour, and most of that time is the oven doing the work.

Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Need

  • 4 large bell peppers (any color works, I like red or yellow for sweetness)
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 3/4 cup buffalo sauce, divided
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: crumbled blue cheese for topping

Tools You’ll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Sharp knife for halving the peppers
  • Measuring cups

Pro Tips

Pick peppers that can stand on their own.Look for ones with a flat bottom so they don’t tip over in the dish. If yours are wobbly, slice a thin strip off the bottom (without cutting through) to help them sit flat.
Don’t skip the pre-bake.Baking the empty pepper halves for 10 minutes before stuffing softens them just enough so they’re tender by the time the filling is done, not crunchy and raw in the middle.
Room temperature cream cheese blends easier.Cold cream cheese leaves lumps in your filling. Let it sit out for 20 to 30 minutes before mixing.
Taste your buffalo sauce before you commit.Brands vary a lot in heat level. Start with less, taste the filling, and add more if you want it spicier.
Rotisserie chicken is your shortcut.It saves a full step and the flavor holds up perfectly here. I usually shred it with two forks straight off the bird.

Substitutions and Variations

Original Swap Notes
Bell peppers Poblano peppers Adds a mild smoky heat
Ranch dressing Blue cheese dressing Classic buffalo pairing
Cheddar cheese Monterey Jack Milder, melts smooth
Rotisserie chicken Ground chicken, cooked Cook and crumble before mixing
Buffalo sauce Half buffalo, half BBQ Mellows the heat a bit
Cream cheese Greek yogurt Lighter, slightly tangier

Make Ahead Tips

You can assemble these up to a day ahead. Stuff the peppers, cover the dish tightly, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, add about 5 to 10 extra minutes to the cook time since you’re starting cold.

You can also make the filling on its own up to 3 days ahead and store it separately. Stuff the peppers right before baking.

Nutritional Breakdown

Per serving (1 stuffed pepper half), approximate values.

Nutrient Amount
Calories 310
Protein 24g
Fat 20g
Carbohydrates 8g
Fiber 2g
Sodium 680mg

Meal Pairings

These peppers are rich, so I like to balance them with something light.

  • A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
  • Cauliflower rice for extra low carb bulk
  • Celery and carrot sticks for that classic buffalo wing feel
  • A cold cucumber salad to cool things down

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers

1Preheat the oven.

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.

2Prep the peppers.

Slice each bell pepper in half lengthwise through the stem. Remove the seeds and white membrane. Arrange the halves cut side up in the baking dish.

3Pre-bake the peppers.

Bake for 10 minutes to soften them slightly. Remove from the oven.

4Make the filling.

In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and half the green onions. Stir until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper.

5Stuff the peppers.

Divide the filling evenly among the pepper halves, packing it in gently.

6Top with cheese.

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and the mozzarella over each stuffed pepper.

7Bake.

Return the dish to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.

8Finish and serve.

Drizzle the remaining buffalo sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the rest of the green onions and blue cheese crumbles if using. Serve hot.

Leftovers and Storage

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, place them in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through.

These also freeze well. Wrap each pepper half tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQ

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes. Assemble everything the night before, refrigerate, and bake right before your guests arrive.

Are these keto friendly?

Yes, with around 8g of carbs per serving, these fit comfortably into most low carb and keto plans.

Can I use frozen chicken?

You can, just make sure it’s fully cooked and thawed before shredding and mixing it into the filling.

What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?

Franks RedHot is the classic choice, but any buffalo sauce you enjoy for wings will work here.

Can I make this dairy free?

Swap the cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella for dairy free alternatives. The texture will be slightly different but still tasty.

Why are my peppers watery?

Some peppers release liquid as they bake. Letting them rest for a few minutes after baking helps some of that liquid reabsorb, and patting the pepper halves dry before stuffing can help too.

Wrapping Up

Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers hit that spicy, cheesy, comfort food craving without any of the wing night cleanup. They’re easy enough for a random Tuesday and good enough to serve when people come over.

Give them a try this week and let me know how they turn out in the comments. I’d love to hear if you added your own twist.

Leave a Comment