Gluten Free

Easy Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken

Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.
~ Carrie Tyler ~ 2 Comments
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Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Their eyes, intensely focused on me, conveyed urgency and despair. Words that shot through their lips were sharp. The air was thick with tension. Was this an angry mob? No, this was my family…looking for dinner. Again. Is this a familiar scene?? Yes, well then, you are probably a Mom. But here is a make-ahead dinner to turn this nightly nightmare into a beautiful dream.  This is my Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers Skillet with Ground Chicken!

This recipe takes a stuffed pepper and deconstructs it is so it’s super easy to make.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cilantro, cheese, and corn tortillas. Finally, nutty and hearty brown rice is mixed and cooked in with all of this goodness to created one delicious dinner.  It’s smokey, savory, hearty, and utterly delicious!

Want more tips for making busy family dinners easier?  Click here for my Free Printable 5 Simple Steps to Easy Family Dinners!

BELL PEPPERS HAVE MORE VITAMIN C THAN ORANGES!

Bell peppers come in a variety of colors and add so much color and flavor to recipes!  But, aside from looking pretty and tasting good, they also have some wonderful health benefits!  They are low in calories and exceptionally rich in vitamins and antioxidants.  Bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C and are a great source for vitamins B6, K1, A, and E.  In fact, bell peppers have more vitamin C than oranges!  One medium-sized red bell pepper provides 169% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin C.  They also have minerals, such as potassium and folate.

So eat bell peppers for a snack or add them to scrambled eggs, mix into salads, or try them in these recipes:

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Nothing special for this one! Just a medium pot with lid for the rice and a wide-bottom pot, such as a dutch oven. My prized possession dutch oven was perfect for this! Or any good quality enameled cast iron 5-6 quart dutch oven with lid is great.

PREP-AHEAD TO MAKE YOUR TEX MEX UNSTUFFED PEPPERS

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below)

Clean the bell peppers and discard the seeds and membranes. Rough chop into 1/2 to 1 inch chunks. Chop the cilantro.

Chopped green and red bell peppers and cilantro on a cutting board for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

The corn tortillas act as a thickener as well as bring a familiar corn flavor to this dish!  Cut them into 1 inch long, 1/4 inch thick strips. Measure out all of the seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and salt).

Hand holding tortillas cut into strips for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Can I use any other types of peppers?

Absolutely!  Poblano or Cubanelle peppers would be fantastic peppers to include.  These are less sweet than bell peppers, but do not carry much heat, so still a nice mild option.  If you want to add heat, then jalapeno peppers would be a great addition.  Of course, you can go with other peppers that carry even more heat, but then you are getting into “spicy” territory and I know my kids would run the other direction! 

Can I use fresh onion and garlic?

Of course fresh is always a preference, however, that will add prep time for dicing and mincing.  If you have the time, great!  When you get to the cooking steps, you will add these in half way through the chicken cooking. So you start searing and browning the chicken, then stir and add the onions and garlic, finish cooking the chicken, and then continue to follow the steps from there.

COOK YOUR TEX MEX UNSTUFFED PEPPERS

For the rice, I used a medium-grain brown rice because it adds more flavor than white rice.  However, you can of course use any rice that you prefer.  You can cook it ahead and store the rice in the fridge. Just warm it up before adding it to the pot in the step below.

Everything else cooks in one large pot.  I start with the peppers and then remove them while cooking the chicken so that they don’t get too mushy.  Cook the peppers only for 3-4 minutes, just until they start to glisten. Transfer the peppers to a plate.

Chopped green and red bell peppers cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

To the same pot/pan on high heat, add the ground chicken and seasoning blend.  Mix to combine, then let sit! Let it brown on one side for 3-4 minutes. Then stir again and let cook through for another 4-5 minutes, until there is no longer any pink – stirring after a few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Hand holding small bowl of seasonings over ground chicken cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Seasoned ground chicken cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Once the chicken is cooked, mix in the peppers you set aside, the canned diced tomatoes, green chilies, and tortilla strips. Turn the heat to Medium and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, mix in the rice and cook for a final 5 minutes covered.

Pouring broth into pot with ground chicken cooking, peppers, and tomatoes for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Mixing cooked rice into pot with ground chicken cooking, peppers, and tomatoes for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Turn off the heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the remaining will go on top) and chopped cilantro (leave a small amount for garnish).

Adding shredded cheese to pot of cooked Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Pot of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken and cheese sprinkled on top op.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Serve a heaping bowlful with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese and cilantro.

Can I freeze this?

Yes, this will freeze quite well.  Cool the cooked recipes in the fridge first, then freeze in a freezer-safe container.  It will keep for 4-6 months.  When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating.  You can also reheat it from frozen state in the oven 350 F degrees for 60 minutes or until the center is hot.

ENJOY!  😍 Carrie

Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!

Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.
5 from 1 vote
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Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken

Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken takes a stuffed pepper and deconstructs it is so it's super easy to make.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, and corn tortillas. Finally, nutty and hearty brown rice is mixed and cooked in with all of this goodness to created one delicious dinner.  It's smokey, savory, hearty, and utterly delicious!

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chicken recipes, easy dinner, ground chicken, rice, stuffed peppers, Tex Mex
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 379 kcal
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Uncooked Brown Rice (you can use white)
  • 3 Sweet Bell Peppers (red, yellow, green, or orange)
  • 1 pound Ground Chicken (I used 99% lean)
  • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
  • 1.5 tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 28 ounces Diced Tomatoes
  • 4 ounces Green Chilies (1 can)
  • 5 Corn tortillas, size 6”
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, Chopped

Optional Toppings (not included in Calories per serving)

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, Chopped

Instructions

Prep Steps

  1. Clean the bell peppers and discard the seeds and membranes. Rough chop into 1/2 to 1 inch chunks. Chop the cilantro.

    Chopped green and red bell peppers and cilantro on a cutting board for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  2. Cut the tortillas into 1 inch long, 1/4 inch thick strips. Measure out all of the seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and salt).

    Hand holding tortillas cut into strips for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Cooking Steps

  1. Cook the rice. Rinse the rice under water in a strainer until the water runs clear. Add to 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt and bring up to a boil. Turn the water down to a low simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Once the rice is done, turn off the heat, but leave the pot covered and undisturbed until you are ready to use. (NOTE: you can also do this step ahead and store the rice in the fridge. Just warm it up before adding it to the pot in the step below).)

  2. Preheat a large pot/pan on High heat. To the hot pan, add the olive oil and chopped peppers. Stir to coat in oil and then let cook for 3-4 minutes, just until they start to glisten. Transfer the peppers to a plate.

    Chopped green and red bell peppers cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  3. To the same pot/pan on high heat, add another teaspoon of olive oil, the ground chicken, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Mix to combine, then let sit! Let it brown on one side for 3-4 minutes. Then stir again and let cook through for another 4-5 minutes, until there is no longer any pink – stirring after a few minutes to ensure even cooking.

    Seasoned ground chicken cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  4. Once the chicken is cooked, mix in the peppers you set aside, the canned diced tomatoes, green chilies, and tortilla strips. Turn the heat to Medium and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, mix in the rice and cook for a final 5 minutes covered.

    Pouring broth into pot with ground chicken cooking, peppers, and tomatoes for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  5. Turn off the heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the remaining will go on top) and chopped cilantro (leave a small amount for garnish).

    Adding shredded cheese to pot of cooked Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  6. Serve a heaping bowlful with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese and cilantro. Enjoy!

    Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe with Smoked Ham

Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe in a bowl with spoon and bread dipped in side and parsley, chopped cashews, and ham garnish on top. Ginger root and carrot pieces on table
~ Carrie Tyler ~ 1 Comment
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Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe in a bowl with parsley, chopped cashews, and ham garnish on top. Ginger root and carrot pieces on table

Want something other than chicken for dinner??  I did too and I also wanted something healthy and nourishing.  And so today I bring you my Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe with Smoked Ham!  This is a slightly sweet, mostly savory soup that’s filled with warm spices that will wake up all of your tastebuds!  It all starts with the fantastic sweet carrot that is blended into the most luxuriously creamy consistency.  Then turmeric is added for a gorgeous golden color and warm taste.  Ginger comes to the party with warm spice, garlic shows up with deep flavor, and ground thyme brings it all down to earth.  Finally, smoked ham is the guest of honor, bringing that smokey flavor and a meaty bite.  It’s an easy make-ahead-and-reheat lunch, dinner, or appetizer.  

Want more tips for making busy family dinners easier?  Click here for my Free Printable 5 Simple Steps to Easy Family Dinners!

EAT MORE VEGGIES WITH SOUP!

Soup is such a great way to get your kids (or grownups) in your family to eat their veggies.  Here are some of the ways that soup can make this task easier.

You can add just about any flavors.  I have some many different flavors when it comes to soups.  Some have a Mexican theme, such as my Chicken Tortilla Soup with Kale or my Chicken Enchilada Soup.  Some have an Asian theme, such as my Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup.  And some are really just infused by the ingredients themselves, such as my Creamy Mushroom Soup and my Chilled Golden Corn Soup. 

You can mix and match veggies according to preferences.  A great example of this is my Chunky Chicken Veggie Soup or my Chicken Sausage & Tortellini Soup.  You can really swap any veggies you want into these soups.

Finally, you can blend up veggies that may not be favorites into a creamy form to completely transform them.  My girls and husband all hate peas.  I love them though!  So, I blended peas up with some mint and jalapeno for my Zesty Pea Soup.

What’s your favorite soup?  Tell me in the comments!

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

For this recipe, you need a large (5-6 quart) pot with lid that can go from the stove to the oven. My prized possession dutch oven was perfect for this! Or any good quality enameled cast iron 5-6 quart dutch oven with lid is great.

You also need a blender for blending the carrots into a creamy texture.

And finally, mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.

PREP-AHEAD STEPS FOR YOUR CARROT GINGER SOUP RECIPE

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below)

The great thing about this recipe is that the entire soup can be made ahead and tastes just as good reheated!  But, there are a few steps that you can do even before the soup.  You can dice the carrots, onion, and ham.  Then mince the garlic and ginger.  To save even more time, you can find pre-minced garlic and ginger at the store!  I love Christopher Ranch Minced Garlic and Minced Ginger for quick dinners!

Can I used frozen carrots?

I prefer fresh carrots in this recipe as they really are the sweetest and blend up so beautifully smooth.  However, you can certainly use frozen carrots.  Regardless if they are carrot chips, dices, or other small pieces, simply add them the same way that the instructions indicate for fresh.  You will not likely need the same cooking time, as the frozen carrots will soften faster than fresh raw.  After the soup comes up to a boil, you can test the carrots at around 5-7 minutes to see if they are soft.

What kind of Ham do I buy?

For the ham, you have a few options.  First, you want to look for smoked ham for this recipe.  The smoky flavor works so well in this soup.  You can go to the deli counter and ask for 1/2 inch thick cut slices or you can buy a small cooked ham roast and slice it yourself.  Finally, you can look for a large ham steak in the meat section.  

COOK YOUR CARROT GINGER SOUP

The first step is to sear the diced ham and then transfer it to a plate.

Diced ham cooking in pot for Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe.
To the same pot, add another teaspoon of olive oil, then add the carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes stirring every so often, until slightly soft and onions are slightly translucent.

Diced carrots, onions, garlic, and ginger cooking in pot for Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe.
Add the broth to the veggies in the pot, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes to steam until soft. Remove from heat and let start to cool.

Broth being poured into carrots and onions cooking in pot for Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe.
When the carrot soup is cooled a bit, scoop out all of the carrots and onions with a slotted spoon or small strainer and add to a blender. Using a measuring cup, scoop out about 1-1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid and add it to the blender with the carrots. (NOTE: leave some carrots and onions in the pot if you want texture and do not want to fully blend the entire soup.) Blend until you get a smooth creamy consistency, adding more of the cooking broth as needed until you get a thick smooth and creamy consistency. Pour the smooth carrot soup from the blender back into the pot and whisk into the remaining cooking liquid, so that it thins out.

Spoon transfering carrots from pot to blender for Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe.

Carrot soup blended in blender for Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe.

Add the cooked ham (leave 3 tablespoons for garnish) to the soup and bring the soup to a low simmer.
Plate the soup in a large bowl and garnish with Parsley, sour cream, and the remaining ham.

Adding diced ham to creamy carrots for Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe.

Can this soup be frozen?

Yes, you can portion out this soup and freeze it in freezer containers or freezer bags.  Thaw it in the fridge the night before you want to cook it.  It doesn’t’ have to be completely thawed, but enough to maneuver it out of the container and into a pot to warm on medium heat on the stove.

ENJOY!  😍 Carrie

Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe in a bowl with spoon and bread dipped in side and parsley, chopped cashews, and ham garnish on top. Ginger root and carrot pieces on table

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!

5 from 1 vote
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Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe with Smoked Ham

Golden Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe with Smoked Ham is a slightly sweet, mostly savory soup that's filled with warm spices that will wake up all of your tastebuds! Carrot that is blended into the most luxuriously creamy consistency.  Turmeric adds a gorgeous golden color, ginger brings warm spice, garlic gives more deep flavor, and ground thyme gives an earthy finish.  Finally, smoked ham brings smokey flavor and a meaty bite.  It's an easy make-ahead-and-reheat lunch, dinner, or appetizer.  

Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Carrots, chicken soup, ginger, ham
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil divided into 2
  • 1 cup Smoked Ham finely diced
  • ½ cup Yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger minced
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 3 cups Carrots diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Thyme
  • 4 cups Chicken or Vegetable broth 32 ounces
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnish Ideas

  • 1/2 cup Sour cream
  • 2 Tablespoons Parsley, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons Cashews, Chopped

Instructions

Prep-Ahead Steps

  1. Dice carrots and onion. Mince garlic, mince ginger.
  2. Dice Ham.

Cooking Steps

  1. Preheat a large pot on high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and the diced ham. Spread it out into a single layer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Stir and then transfer to a plate.
  2. To the same pot, add another teaspoon of olive oil, then add the carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes stirring every so often, until slightly soft and onions are slightly translucent.
  3. Add the broth to the veggies in the pot, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes to steam until soft. Remove from heat and let start to cool.

  4. When the carrot soup is cooled a bit, scoop out all of the carrots and onions with a slotted spoon or small strainer and add to a blender. Using a measuring cup, scoop out about 1-1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid and add it to the blender with the carrots. (NOTE: leave some carrots and onions in the pot if you want texture and do not want to fully blend the entire soup.) Blend until you get a smooth creamy consistency, adding more of the cooking broth as needed until you get a thick smooth and creamy consistency. Pour the smooth carrot soup from the blender back into the pot and whisk into the remaining cooking liquid, so that it thins out.

  5. Add the cooked ham (leave 3 tablespoons for garnish) to the soup and bring the soup to a low simmer.

  6. Plate the soup in a large bowl and garnish with Parsley, sour cream, chopped cashews, and the remaining ham.