If you’re searching for vibrant, crowd-pleasing comfort food with minimum fuss, this Fajita Chicken Casserole simply checks all the boxes! Creamy, cheesy, and brimming with bell peppers, tender chicken, and a pop of tex-mex flavor in every bite, this dish transforms classic fajita ingredients into a bubbling, oven-baked masterpiece you’ll want to make on repeat. It’s so satisfying, so colorful, and so easy to adapt—perfect for busy weeknights or a fun family gathering!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something magical about gathering just a handful of fresh, simple ingredients and turning them into a casserole that tastes like a fiesta. Each staple here has a job—some add juicy texture, others ooze comfort or bring zesty spirit—making your Fajita Chicken Casserole both irresistible and a total breeze to assemble.
- Chicken: Cooked and shredded or diced chicken saves time and brings hearty protein to every forkful.
- Red, Green, and Yellow Bell Peppers: A rainbow of peppers delivers crunch, sweetness, and gorgeous color that makes this dish lively and fresh.
- Red Onion: Adds a bit of sharpness and sweetness after sautéing, creating classic fajita flavor.
- Sour Cream: This makes the casserole creamy and tangy, keeping every bite luscious.
- Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheeses: Two melting cheeses that amp up the gooey, comforting topping and cheesy stretches inside.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Diced tomatoes add brightness while green chilies bring gentle heat—drain them well for best texture.
- Olive Oil: Helps caramelize the veggies, deepening their flavor.
- Fajita Seasoning: One spoonful guarantees zesty, smoky flavor throughout the casserole.
- Salt & Pepper: Just a touch brings all the ingredients together harmoniously—don’t skip the final seasoning.
- Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkle at the end adds fresh, herbaceous flair—optional, but highly recommended!
How to Make Fajita Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Sauté the Veggies
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Then, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in your sliced bell peppers and red onion, then sprinkle on the fajita seasoning alongside a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté everything for about 5–6 minutes until the veggies just start to tenderize but still hold their vibrant color. This quick skillet step infuses the vegetables with classic fajita flair and ensures they’ll be just the right mix of soft and crunchy in your final casserole.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked chicken, the freshly sautéed peppers and onions, sour cream, drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, and half of each shredded cheese. Stir it up until everything is beautifully coated and there are colorful pops in every scoop. This step brings all the flavors together, guaranteeing each portion of your Fajita Chicken Casserole is packed with creamy, savory goodness.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish for easy serving later. Spoon in your chicken and veggie mixture, spreading it evenly into the corners. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese generously over the top—don’t be shy! This cheesy layer turns gorgeously melty and golden in the oven, making your casserole truly irresistible.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop the assembled dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbling, golden, and deliciously oozy. Let your casserole rest for about 5 minutes after pulling it from the oven—this helps everything set up just enough for perfect, scoopable servings.
Step 5: Add the Final Touches
If you love a pop of freshness, now’s the time to shower the top with chopped cilantro. This garnish isn’t just pretty—it adds a little zip that brightens all those creamy, bold flavors underneath. Dig in while it’s piping hot!
How to Serve Fajita Chicken Casserole
Garnishes
The final sprinkle of fresh cilantro is a classic, but don’t stop there! Try sliced green onions, a dollop of extra sour cream, or a few jalapeño rings for even more flavor. Avocado slices or fresh lime wedges on the side will make each serving of Fajita Chicken Casserole feel extra special and customizable for everyone at the table.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it’s fantastic with simple sides. Fluffy rice (white, brown, or even cilantro-lime), warm tortillas for scooping, or a pile of crunchy tortilla chips all make perfect companions. Looking for something lighter? A quick salad with lime vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, consider portioning your Fajita Chicken Casserole into individual ramekins or serving with a build-your-own fajita bar: set out tortillas, fresh toppings, and let everyone customize their own plates. Or, try spooning it over a bed of greens for a tex-mex salad, or nestle it into baked sweet potatoes for a hearty twist. The sky’s the limit for fun variations!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Fajita Chicken Casserole holds up beautifully for a few days in the fridge, making leftovers absolutely crave-worthy. Once cooled, cover the casserole dish tightly or transfer to airtight containers; it will keep fresh for up to 4 days. The flavors mingle as it sits, making next-day lunches just as satisfying as the original meal.
Freezing
If you like to meal prep, you’ll love that this casserole freezes very well. Assemble the unbaked casserole, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. For maximum flavor and texture, add the cheese topping fresh just before baking if you can.
Reheating
To reheat, simply scoop portions into a microwave-safe dish and heat until steamy, or pop the whole casserole (covered) back in the oven at 350°F until hot throughout. Add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or cheese before serving to brighten up leftovers and recapture that just-baked magic!
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for Fajita Chicken Casserole?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken keeps things quick and extra flavorful. Just shred or dice it, remove the skin if you like, and follow the recipe as written for fast, easy prep.
What’s the best cheese to use?
This casserole loves the blend of sharp cheddar and creamy Monterey Jack, but you can swap in Pepper Jack for a kick or use whatever cheese you already have on hand—just be sure it melts well.
Can I make Fajita Chicken Casserole low carb?
Definitely! Just skip the rice and serve with extra veggies or alongside a crisp salad. The casserole itself is gluten-free and naturally low in carbs thanks to the absence of tortillas inside the main dish.
What’s a good substitute if I don’t have fajita seasoning?
If you’re out of fajita seasoning, mix up your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper—just season to taste. A little extra lime zest is a great brightener too!
Can I add extra veggies or make it vegetarian?
Yes—feel free to toss in mushrooms, zucchini, or corn for more color and nutrition. To make a vegetarian version, swap chicken for hearty beans or plant-based “chicken” alternatives. The flavors all work beautifully.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a one-pan wonder that’s as comforting as it is festive, give this Fajita Chicken Casserole a whirl! It’s endlessly adaptable, always satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear fast at any meal. Whether you serve it for a weeknight dinner or your next potluck, you’ll find yourself coming back to this feel-good recipe again and again.
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Fajita Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Fajita Chicken Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, creamy cheeses, and zesty seasonings for a flavorful meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked shredded or diced chicken
Vegetables:
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 small red onion (sliced)
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained)
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, sauté bell peppers and onion with fajita seasoning, salt, and pepper until tender.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine chicken, sautéed vegetables, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheeses in a bowl.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake until bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Serve over rice, in tortillas, or with tortilla chips.
- For a low-carb version, skip the rice and add extra vegetables.
- Rotisserie chicken can be used for quicker prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
