Cajun Chicken with Bell Peppers (Creamy Oven-Baked Recipe) – Easy 30-Min Low-Carb Dinner

Tender Cajun chicken breasts bake over colorful bell peppers in one pan, topped with melted cream cheese and cheddar for a creamy, spicy finish everyone loves. This 30-minute recipe uses a homemade spice blend for bold flavor without takeout prices or fuss. High-protein and naturally gluten-free, it pairs perfectly with rice or veggies for weeknight wins.​

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Juicy chicken stays moist under the cheese layer while peppers soften and caramelize below. Cleanup takes seconds since everything bakes together.

Feature	This Recipe	Typical Takeout
Prep Time	10 mins	N/A
Cook Time	25 mins	20 mins wait
Calories	350/serving	600+
Carbs	8g	40g+

Customizable heat levels make it family-friendly. Double the recipe for meal prep that reheats beautifully.​

Ingredients

Cajun Seasoning Mix

• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Chicken and Peppers

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
• 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced thin
• 4 oz cream cheese, sliced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Serves 4. Swap thighs for breasts if preferred; use mini peppers for easier slicing.​

How to Make Cajun Chicken with Bell Peppers

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
2. Slice bell peppers into thin strips. Spread evenly across the bottom of the dish.
3. Mince garlic and sprinkle over peppers. Drizzle with remaining olive oil.
4. Pat chicken breasts dry. Rub both sides generously with Cajun seasoning mix.
5. Place seasoned chicken over peppers. Top each breast with a slice of cream cheese.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the cream cheese.
7. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and cheese bubbles.
8. Switch to broil for 1-2 minutes to golden the top. Watch closely to avoid burning.
9. Rest 5 minutes. Serve chicken topped with peppers and pan juices. Garnish with parsley.

Total time: 35 minutes. The peppers release juices that keep everything moist.​

Expert Tips for Perfect Results

Check chicken early with a thermometer; thinner breasts cook in 20 minutes. Make spice mix ahead and store in a jar up to 1 month for quick meals.

For extra char, broil longer but tent with foil if browning too fast. Let it rest so juices redistribute for maximum tenderness.​

Avoid overcrowding the dish; use two pans if doubling. Thighs work great too, just reduce bake time by 5 minutes.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Mild Version: Halve cayenne and add a pinch of sugar to balance.
Skillet Option: Sauté peppers first in a large pan, nestle chicken in, cover and finish in 375°F oven 15 minutes.​
Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream instead of cream cheese; vegan cheese shreds melt well.

Pair with cilantro lime rice, cauliflower mash for keto, or garlic bread. Add okra slices with peppers for Southern twist.

Meal prep tip: Portion into containers with sides for 4 days of lunches.​

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Approximate values based on 4 servings:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	350
Protein	35g
Carbs	8g
Fat	20g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	4g

Naturally low-carb and high-protein. Adjust for exact ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs? Yes, boneless works best; bake 20-25 minutes until 165°F.

Dairy-free option? Coconut cream or cashew cheese subs melt smoothly.

How spicy is it? Medium with full cayenne; kids version omits it entirely.

Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, without cheese topping. Thaw overnight and reheat covered at 350°F.

Make ahead? Assemble dish up to 24 hours ahead; bake fresh.​

Tender, flavorful Cajun chicken with bell peppers delivers restaurant-quality results at home. Pin this recipe, snap a photo of your plate, and share your favorite tweaks in the comments below!

Recipe Card Keywords: Cajun chicken recipe, bell peppers chicken, oven baked Cajun chicken, creamy chicken peppers, low carb Cajun dinner, easy one pan chicken.​

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