Chicken Fajita Casserole

Looking for a delicious and easy one-pan dinner that the whole family will love? Look no further than this chicken fajita casserole recipe! Packed with juicy chicken, flavorful peppers and onions, and all the classic flavours you love in a fajita. This casserole is the perfect way to spice up your dinner routine.

Best of all, it's simple to make and can be customized to your liking with your favorite toppings and sides. So why wait? Make your shopping list, grab your ingredients and get ready to savor the flavors of Mexico in every bite!

Why you will love this recipe

• Fast and easy to make - Who doesn't love one pot meals? With just a few simple steps, you can have a hearty and flavorful meal on the table in no time.
• Versatile - This recipe is very versatile, allowing you to customize it to your own liking. You can add additional spices or ingredients, such as black beans or corn, to make it your own.
• Heathy and nutritious - This casserole is full of lean protein and nutritious vegetables.
• Makes the best leftovers! - This casserole can easily be reheated for the most delicious leftovers. That is if you have any left!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Please refer to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities.

Bell Peppers - Multicoloured peppers are more visually appealing but you can use only one or 2 if you prefer.

Chicken breast - Sliced chicken thighs also work perfectly in this recipe. You can also use sliced beef or pork.

Green and white onion - Green onions make a nice, fresh garnish and white onions add some sweetness to the casserole. A great substitute for the green onion garnish would be finely diced red onion and any type of onion can be used in the casserole.

Cheddar cheese is a classic choice. Feel free to substitute with Monterey Jack, mozzarella or any cheese you like! You can also leave the cheese out for a dairy free option.

Fajita seasoning - A homemade version is included but can be substituted with any store bought brand.

Salsa - Choose a thicker salsa to avoid your casserole turning out watery. Alternatively you can drain the salsa over a fine mesh sieve to remove any water.

Sour cream - This optional topping can be omitted or substituted with plain Greek yogurt or a dairy free alternative such as cashew cream.

Pickled jalapenos, avocado, and cilantro are all optional toppings. Other options include diced fresh tomatoes, sliced or diced fresh jalapeno peppers, and guacamole.

Variations

Make it vegetarian - Replace the chicken with a plant based protein such as tofu, black beans or chickpeas.

Make it creamy - Add ¼ cup of cream cheese or heavy cream to the filling before topping with cheese and baking.

How to make this recipe

Please see full instructions in the recipe card below.

• Step 1 - Fry the onions in oil over medium heat until beginning to soften.
• Step 2 - Push the onions to the outside and add the chicken into the center. Top with fajita seasoning and cook for 3 minutes before stirring. This helps prevent the chicken from sticking and allows it to start to brown.
• Step 3 - Stir everything together and continue cooking and stirring for 2 more minutes.
• Step 4 - Add the peppers and cook for 5 more minutes. Then add salsa and chopped cilantro and stir to combine.

• Step 5 - Top with grated mozzarella and pickled jalapeno slices, if using. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage

This casserole can be kept covered tightly or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Be sure to let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

To Freeze - You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. To reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake it in the oven according to the recipe instructions.

What to serve it with

There are many options to serve with this casserole.

• Tortilla shells - Flour or corn tortillas are a classic option that everyone loves.
• Lettuce boats - For a low-carb option serve in a lettuce boat.
• Rice - Serve your favourite rice for a more filling side option.
• Refried beans - Bump up the protein content by serving with refried beans.
• Salad - Get in some leafy greens with a crisp and fresh salad. It can provide a refreshing contrast to flavors and textures of this casserole.

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📖 Recipe

Chicken Fajita Casserole

Looking for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family will love? Look no further than this chicken fajita casserole recipe!

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 356kcal

Author: Andrea Mut

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• ▢ 3 chicken breasts cut into thin strips (740 g or 1 ½ pounds)
• ▢ 3 bell peppers sliced into ½ inch strips
• ▢ 1 large white onion
• ▢ 3 ¼ tablespoons Enchilada seasoning recipe below or 3 tablespoons store-bought
• ▢ 1 ¾ cups salsa (400 ml/
• ▢ 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
• ▢ 8 to 10 slices pickled jalapenos optional
• ▢ 3 green onions thinly sliced
• ▢ ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro including stems, more leaves for garnish

Seasoning Mix (makes 3 ¼ tablespoons)

• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
• ▢ 3 teaspoons ground cumin
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
• ▢ ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt

Optional Toppings

• ▢ Pickled jalapenos
• ▢ Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ▢ Sliced or diced avocado
• ▢ Fresh lime wedges
• ▢ Cilantro leaves

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Heat oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook them for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Push the onions to the edges of the pan, and add the chicken strips to the center. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken, and let it cook without stirring for 3 minutes.
• Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add the peppers and continue cooking and stirring for 5 more minutes.
• Add salsa and chopped cilantro. Stir to combine.
• Remove the skillet from the heat, and sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese and pickled jalapenos (if using).
• Bake the skillet in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
• Remove the skillet from the oven, and sprinkle the top with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
• Serve the chicken fajita casserole with any optional toppings of your choice.

Notes

Storage - This casserole can be kept covered tightly or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Be sure to let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

To Freeze - You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. To reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake it in the oven according to the recipe instructions.

For ingredient substitutions, variations and more topping ideas see post above. 

Nutritional Facts are an estimate only using an online calculator and do not include optional toppings. Numbers will vary depending on the brands of products used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g

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