Description
A delicious and easy Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole that combines seasoned chicken breasts, colorful bell peppers, and melted cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it’s flavorful, satisfying, and customizable with your favorite toppings or sides.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) 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
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Set your oven to 400°F and allow it to fully preheat before baking.
- Season the chicken. In a baking dish, season the chicken breasts with fajita seasoning and drizzle with vegetable oil. Use your hands or a spoon to ensure the seasoning and oil are evenly distributed on all sides.
- Add vegetables. Place the sliced bell peppers and onion on top of the seasoned chicken in the baking dish. Lightly sprinkle more fajita seasoning over the vegetables for extra flavor.
- Top with cheese. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese over the vegetables and chicken, covering the entire surface for a cheesy topping.
- Bake the casserole. Place the dish in the oven uncovered and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve and garnish. Remove from oven and let it rest briefly. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving hot.
Notes
- To ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check that internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C.
- Any melting cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend works well for this recipe.
- For a lighter version, leave out the cheese or substitute with Parmesan mixed with panko breadcrumbs and spray with oil before baking.
- To speed up assembly, cube the chicken and reduce baking time accordingly.
- You can serve this casserole with garlic butter pasta, plain pasta, rice, Mexican rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 388 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 483 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 153 mg
