If you’re searching for a truly irresistible dinner, the Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe might be your new weeknight lifesaver! Bursting with colorful bell peppers, tender bites of chicken, gooey cheese, and the bold flavors of classic fajita seasoning, this one-pan wonder is as comforting as it is crave-worthy. Whether you pile it onto tortillas, scoop it with crunchy chips, or serve it over fluffy rice, this family-friendly casserole transforms every bite into a festive, flavor-packed celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe shine is how everyday ingredients come together for big flavor, gorgeous color, and a delightful mix of creamy and cheesy texture. Each one plays a starring role in building that signature fajita taste and hearty, bubbly finish.
- Chicken breasts: Lean and protein-packed, they soak up the fajita seasoning perfectly and stay juicy after baking.
- Red, green, and yellow bell peppers: These not only bring vibrant color but also a sweet, earthy crunch that’s classic for fajitas.
- Red onion: Gives a delicate sweetness and extra color to balance out the peppers and chicken.
- Olive oil: Helps sauté the veggies and chicken, keeping everything tender and rich.
- Fajita seasoning: The heart of the recipe; opt for a store-bought packet or whip up your own blend for extra control over the spice level.
- Sour cream: Adds luscious creaminess, balancing out the spices and keeping the casserole tender.
- Cheddar cheese: Offers that classic, bold cheesy flavor and turns beautifully golden and bubbly as it bakes.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts smoothly and brings an extra gooey, mild layer that blends with the Cheddar.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle aromatic flavor that rounds out the filling taste of the casserole.
- Salt and pepper: Simple but essential, these help bring out all the savory notes from the other ingredients.
- Chopped cilantro or green onions: A sprinkle of fresh herbs for garnish adds a pop of color and a final burst of fresh flavor.
How to Make Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F so it’s primed and ready for baking. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with just a touch of oil or cooking spray; this helps guarantee an easy release and prevents any of that gorgeous cheese from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken
In a big mixing bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with olive oil and your fajita seasoning blend, making sure every morsel gets well coated. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden on the edges but not cooked all the way through. This step locks in the flavor and sets the foundation for that irresistible fajita taste without drying the chicken out in the oven.
Step 3: Sauté the Peppers and Onion
In the same skillet, add your sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté them for about 4 to 5 minutes, just until they’ve softened a bit and their colors intensify. This quick cook ensures your veggies stay vibrant and crisp-tender, the ideal complement to the creamy casserole base.
Step 4: Mix Up the Creamy Base
In a separate bowl, stir together the sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. This creamy mixture will help tie all the flavors together and guarantee a cozy, velvety texture throughout the Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe.
Step 5: Combine, Layer, and Cheese It Up
Add your seared chicken, sautéed peppers and onion, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the sour cream mixture. Gently fold everything together until well combined, letting the cheese begin to melt into the mix. Pour this delicious medley into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Step 6: Top and Bake
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and all of the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top, fully covering the casserole. Slide the dish into the oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden, gooey, and bubbling, promising you that irresistible baked finish. Let it cool for a few minutes so it sets up a bit—then get ready to dig in!
How to Serve Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Cilantro or green onions scattered on top lend a fresh, herbaceous pop that brightens up the rich, bubbling casserole. Consider adding a dollop of extra sour cream, freshly sliced jalapeños for spice, or a squeeze of lime juice for extra zest.
Side Dishes
This Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe is fantastic served with warm flour or corn tortillas, making it easy for everyone to scoop up their own perfect portion. For a heartier meal, spoon it over fluffy rice, or pair with a side of black beans, Mexican street corn, or a crisp green salad for freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this casserole into a party hit by setting up a DIY fajita bar: serve the hot casserole alongside stacks of tortillas, tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, and pickled jalapeños. Or, bake and portion into individual ramekins for a dinner party presentation that’s sure to impress your guests with minimal fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors meld and deepen, making the Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe even tastier as leftovers!
Freezing
This casserole is perfect for freezing. Assemble and cool the uncooked casserole (but don’t bake it), cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to three months. If freezing leftovers, portion them out and freeze in smaller airtight containers for speedy lunches or dinners.
Reheating
For individual portions, the microwave works in a pinch—just cover loosely and heat until piping hot. If reheating the whole casserole, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in a 350°F oven, covered, until heated through and bubbly again.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring a slightly richer flavor and stay beautifully tender in this Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces as you would the chicken breasts.
How spicy is this recipe?
The spiciness depends mostly on your fajita seasoning blend. For a mild casserole, choose a seasoning with little to no heat, or add some chili powder or cayenne if you want a kick. You can easily customize the spice level to suit your taste.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Corn, black beans, or even zucchini work beautifully in this Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe. Just keep the total vegetable amount about the same so the casserole bakes up evenly.
How do I keep the casserole from getting watery?
Sautéing the veggies before mixing into the casserole releases excess moisture, so don’t skip that step. If you add extra veggies (like mushrooms or zucchini), be sure to cook them thoroughly to remove water before assembling.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the casserole up through adding the cheese topping, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready, just bake as directed—adding a couple extra minutes if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe is pure comfort and fiesta all in one dish. Whether you’re planning an easy weeknight dinner or treating friends to a crowd-pleasing meal, it never fails to bring everyone back for seconds. Give it a try—it might just become your new family favorite, too!
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Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a delicious twist on classic fajitas, combining tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, onions, and creamy cheeses baked to perfection. It’s an easy, flavorful meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Fajita Casserole:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 medium red onion (sliced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet fajita seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade blend)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Chopped cilantro or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, toss chicken pieces with olive oil and fajita seasoning until evenly coated. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes, until lightly browned but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers and onion for 4–5 minutes until slightly softened.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken, sautéed veggies, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese to the sour cream mixture and mix to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread evenly, and top with the remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or tortilla chips for a complete meal.
- You can add black beans or corn for extra flavor and texture.
- This casserole is great for meal prep and reheats well throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
