If you’re craving the bold, vibrant flavors of fajitas but don’t want to stand over a hot stove, this Chicken Fajita Casserole is the answer! It’s everything you love about fajitas—seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, and cheesy goodness—all baked into a simple, flavorful casserole. Perfect for a busy weeknight or meal prep, this casserole is a total crowd-pleaser that’s super easy to throw together. Plus, it’s made in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a complete meal packed with all the classic fajita flavors, but without the fuss. The tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers and onions, and cheesy topping make every bite incredibly satisfying. It’s one of those recipes that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but in reality, it’s so simple and quick to make. Whether you’re serving it for dinner, packing it for lunch, or making it for a family gathering, this dish is bound to be a hit. And did I mention the cheese? It melts into a gooey, golden perfection.
Ingredients
(Full list of ingredients is at the bottom!)
Here’s a sneak peek at the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy and flavorful casserole:
- Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- Bell peppers (red, green, yellow—your choice!)
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Rice (optional, but adds a great base)
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional for topping)
This casserole uses a mix of simple ingredients, but the flavor will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Start by dicing your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until it’s no longer pink and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. You want the chicken to get nice and golden on the outside.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
While the chicken is cooking, chop your bell peppers and onion. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed, and sauté the onion, bell peppers, and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant—about 5-6 minutes. Add the fajita seasoning to the veggies and stir to coat. This is where the magic happens! The seasoning brings all the flavors together.
Step 3: Combine the Chicken and Veggies
Once the veggies are done, return the chicken to the skillet and mix everything together. If you’re using rice, you can stir it in now as well. If you’re skipping the rice, no problem! The chicken and veggies alone will still be delicious.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
Transfer the chicken and veggie mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the top, then pop the casserole into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Once your casserole is out of the oven, you can top it with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for an extra creamy finish. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or even a few avocado slices to bring it all together.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip the seasoning: Fajita seasoning is key here! You can use a store-bought mix or make your own using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a bit of heat.
- Add extra veggies: Feel free to throw in some extra veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, or even corn. They’ll cook down nicely with the chicken and peppers.
- Make it spicy: If you like some heat, add a chopped jalapeño when you sauté the veggies, or sprinkle some red pepper flakes into the chicken mixture.
- Skip the rice for a low-carb version: If you’re watching your carbs, you can leave out the rice or swap it with cauliflower rice for a lighter version of the casserole.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Use ground chicken or turkey: If you prefer ground meat over diced chicken, ground chicken or turkey works beautifully in this casserole.
- Swap the cheese: While cheddar and Mexican blends are classic, you could use Monterey Jack or even Pepper Jack cheese if you want a little spice in every bite.
- No sour cream?: You can also use Greek yogurt or even a bit of guacamole for a creamy topping.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with a variety of sides:
- Tortillas: Serve the casserole with warm flour or corn tortillas for a fun twist, almost like deconstructed fajitas.
- Salad: A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette would balance out the richness of the casserole.
- Chips and salsa: For a more casual meal, serve the casserole with some tortilla chips and salsa on the side.
- Rice: If you didn’t include rice in the casserole itself, serve it over a bed of rice to make the dish even more hearty.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The casserole reheats beautifully, so it’s perfect for lunch the next day.
To reheat, simply microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes or pop the casserole back into the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until heated through. If it seems a little dry after reheating, just add a splash of water or broth to bring the moisture back.
4 FAQs
- Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and cook as directed. - Can I freeze Chicken Fajita Casserole?
Absolutely! This casserole freezes really well. Just assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. - Can I add beans to the casserole?
Yes, black beans or pinto beans would make a great addition. Add them in when you combine the chicken and veggies for extra protein and texture. - What kind of rice should I use?
Long-grain white rice works best, but you can also use brown rice for a healthier option. If you’re short on time, instant rice is fine as well!
Conclusion
Chicken Fajita Casserole is everything you love about fajitas—seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, and cheesy goodness—baked into a delicious and easy-to-make casserole. It’s the perfect meal for busy nights, and leftovers taste just as good (if not better!) the next day. Plus, it’s customizable, so you can make it as spicy or as veggie-loaded as you like. One bite of this and you’ll be hooked—give it a try and enjoy the fajita flavors in casserole form!
Print
Chicken Fajita Casserole: The Ultimate One-Pan Dinner
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chicken Fajita Casserole combines all the flavors of fajitas—seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, and melted cheese—into one easy-to-make casserole. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep!
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, diced)
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow—your choice)
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup rice (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced chicken until no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
- Sauté the Veggies: Chop the bell peppers and onion. Add them to the same skillet along with garlic and sauté for 5-6 minutes. Add fajita seasoning and stir to coat.
- Combine: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. If using, stir in rice.
- Bake the Casserole: Transfer everything to a baking dish. Top with shredded cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Garnish with sour cream, Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, lime, or avocado slices.
Notes
- Add extra veggies like zucchini or mushrooms for more flavor and texture.
- Make it spicy by adding a chopped jalapeño or some red pepper flakes to the veggie mix.
- You can use ground chicken or turkey instead of diced chicken if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg