Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole (Print View)
A comforting Tex-Mex inspired bake with juicy chicken, colorful peppers, and plenty of melted cheese delivering classic fajita flavors in an easy oven-baked dish.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 large onion, sliced
→ Dairy
06 - 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Pantry & Seasonings
09 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
10 - 1 tsp chili powder
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
15 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
17 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Sliced green onions
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, sautéed vegetables, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese uniformly over the top.
05 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout and the cheese is golden brown.
06 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and sliced green onions if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combo of three bell peppers creates this incredible sweetness that balances perfectly with the smoky spices and creamy elements
- Everything comes together in one dish with minimal hands on time, making it perfect for those nights when you want something hearty but dont want to stand over a hot stove
02 -
- I learned the hard way that if you dont drain the tomatoes really well, you end up with a watery casserole that takes forever to set up
- Letting it rest for those 5 minutes feels impossible when everyone is hungry, but cutting into it too soon makes the pieces fall apart
03 -
- Roast your vegetables in the oven instead of sautéing them for a deeper, sweeter flavor
- Mix some shredded cheese INTO the casserole, not just on top, for cheesy goodness in every single bite