Description
This Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole combines tender chicken breasts seasoned with fajita spices, topped with colorful bell peppers, onions, and melty shredded cheese baked to perfection. It's a flavorful and easy-to-make baked dish perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts skinless and boneless
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Vegetables
- 2 medium bell peppers cut into strips
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced
Toppings
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
- fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Season chicken: In a baking dish, coat the chicken breasts evenly with the fajita seasoning and vegetable oil, using your hands to ensure the seasoning is well distributed over the chicken.
- Add vegetables and cheese: Layer the sliced bell peppers and yellow onion over the seasoned chicken, sprinkle a little extra fajita seasoning if desired, and top everything with the shredded cheese evenly.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Any type of melting cheese works well for this recipe.
- To reduce calories, omit the cheese and instead top with parmesan mixed with panko breadcrumbs, lightly spray with oil, then bake.
- Speed up cooking by cubing the chicken into smaller pieces, reducing baking time accordingly.
- Optional addition: mix in cooked pasta (al dente) for a heartier dish.
- Serve this casserole with garlic butter pasta, plain or Mexican rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Leftovers reheat well in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 388 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 483 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 153 mg
