Description
This Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines seasoned chicken, vibrant bell peppers, onions, and melted cheese, baked to perfection. It’s a perfect comfort food that can be served with rice, pasta, or low-carb vegetables, making it versatile for different dietary preferences.
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 and Cheese
- 2 medium bell peppers, cut into strips
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Garnish
- Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Season Chicken: In a baking dish, season the chicken breasts thoroughly with fajita seasoning and vegetable oil. Use your hands to make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed over the chicken.
- Add Vegetables and Cheese: Place the sliced bell peppers and onion over the seasoned chicken. Sprinkle a little more fajita seasoning on top, then generously cover everything with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven 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: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, and serve immediately. You can pair it with rice, pasta, or enjoy it on its own.
Notes
- To ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, insert a meat thermometer into the center of one of the breasts; it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Any melting cheese works well, but for extra flavor, try a blend of cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack.
- For a lower calorie alternative, leave out the cheese, top with Parmesan mixed with panko breadcrumbs, spray with oil, and bake.
- For quicker cooking, cube the chicken into smaller pieces, which will reduce the baking time.
- Feel free to add cooked pasta or rice on the side or mixed into the casserole for added carbs and variety.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or microwave for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the casserole
- Calories: 388 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 483 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 153 mg
