Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender baked chicken, sautéed bell peppers and onions, creamy cheese, and a blend of taco seasonings. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers the delicious fajita flavors in an easy-to-make baked casserole format.
- Author: lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Chicken
- 3 chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), seeds removed and sliced into strips
- 1/2 large onion, sliced into strips
- 1/4 cup canned diced tomatoes and green chilies (such as Rotel)
Seasonings and Dairy
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar and Monterey Jack), divided
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and later the casserole.
- Bake Chicken: Lightly season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Sauté Vegetables: While the chicken is baking, heat a greased skillet over medium heat. Add sliced bell peppers, onion, and canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. Cook until the vegetables are tender, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Chop Chicken: Remove the baked chicken from the oven and let it cool slightly. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl with the sautéed vegetables.
- Season Mixture: Add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning evenly over the chicken and vegetables. Stir gently to incorporate the seasoning.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Mix in half of the shredded cheese, all of the softened cream cheese, and the heavy cream into the bowl. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. Then add the remaining tablespoon of taco seasoning and stir again until evenly distributed.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the entire mixture into a casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake Casserole: Bake in the oven at 350°F (176°C) for 30–35 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, but the texture will be different.
- Use any combination of cheeses you prefer; cheddar and Monterey Jack provide a great flavor blend.
- For added spice, consider adding a diced jalapeño with the vegetables.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked before chopping to avoid any food safety issues.
Keywords: Chicken Fajita Casserole, baked chicken fajita, easy casserole, Mexican casserole, cheesy chicken fajita bake