Stuffed peppers just got a whole lot tastier! These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Red Chili are flavourful and bring the heat with the red chili. A delicious meal to have with chicken, turkey or even vegetarian!
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Red Chili
Growing up my mom used to make stuffed peppers. She used ground meat, rice, tomato sauce or soup and a few other simple flavours. It was quite good and I always looked forward to it.
But then I moved beyond being simple.
My love for quinoa and those stuffed peppers from long ago inspired this dish. Plus some leftover roast chicken!
Make it Vegetarian/Vegan
What’s great about this recipe is you can use chicken, turkey or leave out the meat entirely! It’s easy to replace the meat with cooked squash cubes, grated raw zucchini, peas, corn, chopped cooked carrots, a variety of chopped mushrooms, even peppers.
Pepper Hater
When someone in your life doesn’t like peppers, it’s a problem.
My suggestion is do not let them rule the roost. Always have the disliked ingredient around and find ways to enjoy and ensure your kids, guests enjoy it! For the pepper hater we use hollowed zucchini, potato, portabello mushrooms, even tomatoes. Depending on what veggie you choose to use, some will need to be pre-cooked, others not. Plus cooking time adjusted.
The Weather Network
Quinoa is so big in our house we did a segment on The Weather Network talking Food Hacks and Quinoa! Scroll down and view the video here: Food Hacks
PRO TIPS
This is a recipe that can be altered to suit ingredient availability and taste!
- Replace chicken with turkey or leave all meat out and make it vegetarian~
- If you can’t find red chili, no sweat. Use diced jalapenos.
- Use swiss chard, bok choy, kale or pea shoots to replace spinach.
- Instead of almonds, pine nuts or pepitas are dandy.
- Use bell peppers, field peppers, poblano peppers even imperfect produce to make this dish. Because really who cares if it’s not perfect!
If you love quinoa, you will enjoy these recipes!
- Cucumber and Mint Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa Burgers
- 2 Minute Chocolate Quinoa Cake
- Green Apple and Cranberry Quinoa Salad
If you made this recipe tag Wanda Baker on Instagram and hashtag it #bakersbeans and please comment below!
Ingredients
- 1 whole pepper
- 3/4 cup quinoa precooked & cooled
- 1 cup spinach chopped thin
- 1/3 cup cooked chicken diced
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1 tbsp red chili diced
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 7-8 whole almonds rough chopped
- salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Cut pepper in half and carefully remove seeds and membrane. Set aside.
- In a bowl add your quinoa, spinach, chicken, green onion and red chili.
- In a second bowl or measuring cup whisk together olive oil, oregano, chili powder, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Pour over quinoa, toss in almonds and stir to combine.
- Carefully spoon quinoa mixture into each pepper half. There should be enough to fill each one to just slightly heaping with a few bites leftover for the cook.
- Place in baking dish and in oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy.
Lucy B says
These were so delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer says
Oooh I liked the spice from the heat!
Wendy says
This was light and refreshing. Will definitely make again!
Shannon says
We are always looking for new vegetarian recipes to try and this was a huge success. Easy too!
Tara Cook says
I left out the hot red peppers because I didn’t have any. Such a delicious way to enjoy quinoa!
Caitlin says
Love this for a tasty weeknight meal, the added chili is perfect!
Heather Perine says
Love stuffed peppers and this variety with quinoa was delicous..and made great leftovers!
Katie says
This is such a good recipe! I love the extra crunch from the almonds- the flavors come together so well!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
My family is going to love this! TheJust tried this recipe and my family loved it.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
This is such a change from the usual stuffed peppers with plenty of crunch and different textures. Can’t wait to make this again!
Beth Sachs says
These make a delicious healthy lunch on their own, or with chicken for a more substantial meal. Really tasty!