Colorful Stuffed Bell Pepper Fried Rice
How to Make Delicious Bell Pepper Fried Rice
Looking for a delightful way to use up leftover rice and vegetables? Try this vibrant Bell Pepper Fried Rice! Bell peppers are nutritional powerhouses, packed with iron, vitamins, lycopene, beta-carotene, and lutein, making them a truly healthy choice. This recipe is a fantastic ‘five-in-one’ solution: it tackles leftover rice, clears out your fridge, tastes amazing, looks beautiful, and is incredibly good for you! Since the recipe is straightforward, it’s also a perfect cooking activity to do with children. Prepare to be delighted by this colorful and nutritious dish!
Ingredients- 1 Red bell pepper
- 1 Yellow bell pepper
- 2 bowls Cooked rice (warm)
- 1 piece Chicken breast (about 100g)
- 1/4 Onion
- A little Carrot (about 20g)
- 3 Mushrooms (e.g., button mushrooms)
- 2 florets Broccoli
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 handfuls Mozzarella cheese (about 60g)
- 3 Tbsp Olive oil
- 2 Tbsp Store-bought tomato sauce
- A pinch of Salt
- A pinch of Black pepper
- A pinch of Parsley flakes (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash and prepare all the ingredients for the dish. Using warm rice will help prevent clumping and ensure it mixes well when stir-frying.
Step 2
Cut the red and yellow bell peppers in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds and inner membranes. Then, chop them into bite-sized pieces, about 3cm in size. Don’t discard the tops of the peppers; you can use them as decorative lids later for a more visually appealing presentation.
Step 3
Finely dice the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces. Mince the onion, carrot, mushrooms, and broccoli to a similar size. Lightly season the diced chicken breast with salt and pepper beforehand for enhanced flavor.
Step 4
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Allow the pan to preheat adequately, as this will contribute to a more delicious outcome.
Step 5
Add the minced garlic to the preheated pan and sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; stir gently until it’s lightly golden to bring out its aroma.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to stir-fry the vegetables in order of their firmness. Add the carrots first and sauté for about 1 minute. Stir-frying the carrots initially helps them cook at a similar rate to the other vegetables.
Step 7
Once the carrots are slightly tender, add the diced chicken breast. Stir-fry until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside. Cooking the chicken first helps prevent it from clumping when mixed with the rice.
Step 8
When the chicken is partially cooked, add the remaining vegetables (onion, mushrooms, broccoli) to the pan. Stir-fry everything together for about 2-3 minutes until all the vegetables are tender.
Step 9
After stir-frying the vegetables and chicken, add 2 tablespoons of store-bought tomato sauce. Mix it well with all the ingredients and continue to stir-fry. The sweet and tangy flavor of the tomato sauce will enhance the overall taste of the fried rice.
Step 10
Add the 2 bowls of warm cooked rice to the pan. Use a spatula to gently break up the rice, ensuring it mixes evenly with the other ingredients without mashing the grains. Stir-fry thoroughly so that the sauce coats every grain of rice.
Step 11
Taste the fried rice and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Add a pinch of black pepper for extra flavor. (Consider the saltiness of the tomato sauce when adjusting seasoning.)
Step 12
Your delicious fried rice, with all the ingredients well combined, is now ready! The next step is to stuff this flavorful rice into the bell peppers.
Step 13
Using a spoon, firmly pack the prepared bell peppers with the cooked fried rice, filling them completely. Stuffing the peppers generously will ensure they hold their shape nicely after baking.
Step 14
Top the rice-filled bell peppers generously with 3 handfuls of mozzarella cheese. The melting cheese will create a delicious, gooey coating over the fried rice.
Step 15
Now, it’s time to melt the cheese using an air fryer or oven. Set your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 3-4 minutes, or your oven to 190°C (375°F) for 4 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. (Adjust cooking time and temperature based on your specific appliance.)
Step 16
Carefully transfer the baked stuffed bell pepper fried rice to a serving plate. To add a decorative touch, place the reserved bell pepper tops alongside. You can drizzle with tomato ketchup or enjoy it as is. Enjoy your delicious meal!
