5 Easy Chicken and Bell Pepper Recipes for Busy Weeknights

When life gets hectic, having a repertoire of quick, nutritious dinner options can be a lifesaver. Chicken and bell pepper recipes offer the perfect solution for busy weeknights – they’re versatile, colorful, and packed with protein and vitamins. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal-prepping for one, these five delicious chicken and bell pepper recipes will become your go-to options when time is short but you still want a satisfying home-cooked meal.

Why Chicken and Bell Peppers Make the Perfect Pair

Before diving into our recipes, let’s explore why chicken and bell peppers work so well together. Chicken provides lean protein that keeps you full, while bell peppers add vibrant color, sweet-tangy flavor, and an impressive nutritional profile. Bell peppers are rich in vitamins C and A, potassium, and fiber, making them an excellent complement to chicken’s protein punch.

Additionally, chicken recipes with peppers tend to cook quickly, with most ready in 30 minutes or less – perfect for those busy weeknights when time is of the essence but you still want something delicious and nutritious.

Recipe 1: One-Pan Chicken and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

This Asian-inspired stir-fry features tender chicken pieces and crunchy bell peppers, all coated in a savory sauce that can be prepared in just 20 minutes.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4

Nutritional Information (per serving): 

Calories: 310, Protein: 28g, Carbs: 14g, Fat: 16g, Fiber: 2g, Sodium: 620mg

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced into thin strips
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Cooked rice (for serving)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken strips and cook for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, allowing them to become nearly fully cooked.
4. Add the garlic and ginger, stirring for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant.
5. Incorporate the sliced bell peppers and onions, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
6. Pour sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables, tossing to coat evenly.
7. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
8. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
9. Serve over hot rice.

This chicken and bell pepper stir-fry is perfect for meal prep – it reheats beautifully and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe 2: Sheet Pan Chicken and Bell Peppers with Italian Herbs

When you need a hands-off dinner option, this sheet pan meal delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort.

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 25 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4

Nutritional Information (per serving): 

Calories: 285, Protein: 24g, Carbs: 8g, Fat: 18g, Fiber: 3g, Sodium: 380mg

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 bell peppers (red, orange, and green), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
3. Add chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onion wedges to the bowl, tossing to coat evenly with the seasoning mixture.
4. Spread everything onto a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring chicken pieces aren’t overcrowded.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and vegetables are tender with slight charring at the edges.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.

This sheet pan chicken peppers onions recipe is incredibly versatile – try serving it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.

Recipe 3: Skillet Chicken and Bell Pepper Fajitas

These sizzling fajitas bring restaurant flavor to your kitchen in just 25 minutes. The combination of spiced chicken, bell peppers, and onions creates a Tex-Mex classic that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4

Nutritional Information (per serving): 

Calories: 360, Protein: 32g, Carbs: 22g, Fat: 16g, Fiber: 4g, Sodium: 490mg

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced into strips
• 1 large onion, sliced into half-moons
• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Juice of 1 lime
• 8-10 small flour tortillas, warmed
• Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken strips and sprinkle with half of the seasoning mixture. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked, then transfer it to a plate.
4. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to the skillet.
5. Add the bell peppers and onions along with the rest of the seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and have some char.
6. Add the chicken back to the pan, squeeze in the lime juice, and mix until combined.
7. Serve at once alongside warm tortillas and desired toppings.

This chicken and bell pepper recipe is great for family-style dining – everyone can build their own fajitas with their preferred toppings.

Recipe 4: Creamy Chicken and Bell Pepper Pasta

This comfort food classic combines tender chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, and a creamy sauce for a satisfying dinner that feels indulgent but comes together quickly.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty level: Medium
• Servings: 4

Nutritional Information (per serving):

 Calories: 420, Protein: 30g, Carbs: 36g, Fat: 18g, Fiber: 3g, Sodium: 410mg

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work well)
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half for a lighter version)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Follow the package directions for cooking the pasta until it reaches an al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to a skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until they are golden brown and almost fully cooked.
4. Add bell peppers and onion, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
5. Add garlic, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for another minute until fragrant.
6. Pour the chicken broth into the pan, making sure to scrape any browned pieces stuck to the bottom.
7. Lower the heat to medium-low, then incorporate the heavy cream while stirring.
8. Simmer for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken subtly.
9. Add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese, tossing to coat everything in the sauce.
10. Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired.

Garnish with fresh basil and add extra Parmesan to taste.

This creamy chicken and bell pepper pasta is pure comfort food, yet the addition of bell peppers gives it a nutritional boost and beautiful color contrast.

Recipe 5: Mediterranean Chicken and Bell Pepper Skillet

Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this vibrant one-pan meal featuring chicken, bell peppers, olives, and feta cheese.

• Prep time: 8 minutes
• Cook time: 17 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4

Nutritional Information (per serving):

 Calories: 320, Protein: 28g, Carbs: 10g, Fat: 19g, Fiber: 3g, Sodium: 460mg

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
• 2 bell peppers (red and orange), chunked
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken chunks with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and paprika.
3. Add the chicken and cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, ensuring all sides are golden brown.
4. Add bell peppers and onion, cooking for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften.
5. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
6. Add cherry tomatoes and red wine vinegar, stirring to combine.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down slightly.
8. Stir in kalamata olives and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
9. Remove from the burner. Garnish with crumbled feta and chopped fresh parsley.
10. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

This Mediterranean-inspired chicken and bell pepper recipe is delicious served over couscous, rice, or with a side of crusty bread.

Tips for Perfect Chicken and Bell Pepper Recipes

To elevate your chicken and bell pepper recipes from good to great, consider these helpful tips:

1. Don’t overcook the bell peppers. For the best texture and most vibrant color, cook bell peppers just until tender-crisp. Mushy, discolored peppers are the result of overcooking, which diminishes their visual appeal.
2. Slice bell peppers and chicken evenly. For even cooking, cut ingredients into uniform sizes. This prevents some pieces from overcooking while others stay undercooked.
3. Season at every stage. Add salt and pepper when cooking the chicken and again when adding the peppers to build layers of flavor throughout the dish.
4. Let chicken rest before cutting. Allow whole cooked chicken breasts or thighs to rest briefly before slicing. This helps keep the meat juicy.
5. Don’t crowd the pan. When sautéing chicken and bell peppers, cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause steaming instead of browning.

Variations to Try with Chicken and Bell Peppers

Once you’ve mastered these basic chicken and bell pepper recipes, try these simple variations to expand your weeknight dinner rotation:

• Cajun Style: Add Cajun seasoning to your chicken and bell peppers for a spicy New Orleans twist.
• Pineapple Addition: Throw in some pineapple chunks with your chicken peppers onions mixture for a sweet-savory combination.
• Teriyaki Version: Swap the stir-fry sauce for teriyaki sauce in Recipe 1 for a different flavor profile.
• Greek Inspired: Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach to Recipe 5 for even more Mediterranean flair.
• Stuffed Peppers: Use any of these chicken mixtures as a filling for hollowed-out bell peppers and bake until tender.

Why These Chicken and Bell Pepper Recipes Work for Busy Weeknights

These five chicken and bell pepper recipes have earned their place in your weeknight dinner rotation for several compelling reasons:

1. Speed: Each recipe takes 30 minutes or less to prepare and cook.
2. Nutrition: You get lean protein from the chicken and vitamins from the bell peppers.
3. Versatility: These recipes can be easily adapted based on what you have on hand.
4. Minimal Cleanup: Most recipes use just one pan or sheet, reducing post-dinner cleanup.
5. Leftovers Potential: All recipes work well as next-day lunches.

Conclusion

With these five easy chicken and bell pepper recipes in your cooking arsenal, busy weeknights no longer mean compromising on flavor or nutrition. From the Asian-inspired stir-fry to the Mediterranean skillet, these versatile dishes prove that delicious, homemade meals can be achieved even when time is limited.

The winning combination of chicken and bell peppers provides endless possibilities for quick, nutritious dinners that satisfy various palates and dietary preferences. So next time you’re staring at chicken breasts and bell peppers in your refrigerator, remember these recipes and transform these simple ingredients into something special – even on your busiest evenings.

Start with your favorite recipe from this collection, and soon you’ll be creating your own signature chicken and bell pepper dishes that your family will request again and again. Happy cooking!

Additional Resources

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