Description
Hearty chicken fajita casserole brings zesty Mexican flavors to your dinner table with layers of tender chicken, peppers, and melted cheese. Families will savor this comforting one-dish meal that combines spicy seasonings and easy preparation for a satisfying dinner you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning (or use a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Guacamole (for serving)
- Salsa (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully adding chicken strips seasoned with salt, pepper, and half the fajita blend. Sauté until the protein develops a golden exterior and reaches near-complete doneness, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer chicken from the skillet.
- Create a vibrant layered foundation in the prepared baking dish by arranging the golden chicken strips as the initial base, then generously distribute sliced bell peppers and onions across the surface. Dust the entire vegetable layer with remaining fajita seasoning for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Blanket the vegetable and chicken mixture with a luxurious combination of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, ensuring an even, comprehensive coverage that promises a melty, indulgent texture.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and cook for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil covering, returning the dish to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden landscape.
- Elevate the presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped cilantro across the casserole’s surface, creating a bright, herbaceous accent.
- Complement the dish with optional accompaniments like cool sour cream, creamy guacamole, or zesty salsa, serving alongside warm tortillas, fluffy rice, or enjoying independently as a complete meal.
Notes
- Adjust heat intensity by selecting mild or spicy fajita seasoning to match personal preference and tolerance levels.
- Slice chicken and vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
- Substitute dairy cheese with plant-based alternatives like vegan mozzarella or nutritional yeast for lactose-intolerant or vegan dieters.
- Prevent soggy texture by patting chicken and vegetables dry before cooking to remove excess moisture and achieve better caramelization.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg