Ah, Chicken Fajita Casserole—all the flavor of sizzling chicken fajitas baked into a comforting, cheesy, one-dish meal 🌶️🧀🍗. Here’s a detailed recipe:
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the Chicken & Veggies
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper)
For the Casserole
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or Mexican-style)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (optional for spice)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, extra cheese
Step-by-Step Process
1. Preheat oven
- 375°F (190°C)
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook chicken & veggies
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken strips and half of the fajita seasoning. Cook until lightly browned but not fully cooked through (~5–6 min).
- Remove chicken and sauté onions and peppers with the remaining seasoning until just tender (~4–5 min).
- Combine chicken and veggies in the skillet.
3. Prepare casserole mixture
- In a large bowl, mix:
- Cooked rice
- Chicken & veggie mixture
- Diced tomatoes with chilies
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- 1/2 cup cheese
- Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
4. Assemble casserole
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
5. Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Optional: broil 1–2 minutes for a golden, slightly crispy top.
6. Serve
- Garnish with avocado slices, cilantro, lime wedges, or extra cheese.
- Serve as a standalone dish or with tortilla chips.
Tips for Best Results
- Chicken options: Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep.
- Veggies: Add corn, black beans, or zucchini for extra flavor.
- Cheese: A mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar gives the best melt and flavor.
- Spice level: Adjust with extra chili powder, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
If you want, I can give a “quick 30-minute sheet pan version of chicken fajita casserole” that’s even faster, with all the flavor and minimal cleanup.
Do you want me to do that?
