Description
Chicken Fajita Casserole brings Tex-Mex comfort right to your dinner table with zero fuss. Packed with zesty peppers, seasoned chicken, and melty cheese, this simple casserole delivers a crowd-pleasing meal your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 large onion
- 1 can 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 packet fajita seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Tortilla chips or warm tortillas
Instructions
- Crank your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop 1.5 lbs thinly sliced chicken breasts into the pan, cooking until golden edges appear, about 5-6 minutes.
- Toss 2 sliced bell peppers and 1 sliced onion into the skillet with the chicken. Sauté these vegetables for 5 minutes until they soften and become slightly translucent.
- Sprinkle your fajita seasoning mixture (1 packet or homemade blend) over the chicken and vegetables, stirring thoroughly to ensure every morsel gets coated with robust spices.
- If using rice, spread 1 cup of cooked rice across the bottom of your prepared baking dish as a foundational layer.
- Transfer the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture directly on top of the rice, creating an even distribution.
- Pour 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and ½ cup chicken broth evenly across the casserole to create moisture and additional flavor.
- Generously shower 1 cup of cheddar and 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the entire surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the uncovered dish into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden blanket.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to settle and cheese to slightly firm up.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, serving alongside warm tortillas or crispy tortilla chips for a complete meal.
Notes
- Check chicken is fully cooked to 165°F internal temperature for food safety, using a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- Substitute protein options like ground turkey, shrimp, or plant-based crumbles work perfectly for varied dietary needs.
- Customize heat level by selecting mild, medium, or spicy fajita seasoning depending on your preference.
- For lower-carb version, replace rice with cauliflower rice or skip grains entirely to reduce overall carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 10-11 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg