Description
This Easy Chicken Fajita Casserole combines the vibrant flavors of traditional fajitas with the comfort and convenience of a casserole, perfectly suited for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (4–6 ounces each), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 bell peppers (mixed colors for visual appeal), sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 recipe or package fajita seasoning mix (taco seasoning works too!)
- 1 cup sour cream (use Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- Optional toppings: avocado, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the bell peppers and onions into thin strips.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions, cooking until vegetables begin to soften slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken and vegetable mixture, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
- Fold in 1 cup of the grated cheddar cheese, reserving the rest for topping.
- Transfer the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture to your prepared baking dish.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over everything.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Marinate your chicken in a few tablespoons of the fajita seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking for maximum flavor.
- Don’t overcook the bell peppers in the initial sauté as they’ll continue cooking in the oven, keeping them crisp provides better texture contrast.
- For a stovetop option, cook everything in an oven-safe skillet and transfer directly to the oven, saving on cleanup.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a deeper flavor, try using a combination of Monterey Jack, Colby, and sharp cheddar cheeses.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: 690
- Fat: 29
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: easy chicken fajita casserole, weeknight dinner, baked fajita casserole, mexican-inspired casserole, family meal