Description
This Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring seasoned chicken breasts baked with bell peppers, onions, and melted cheese. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it combines the smoky fajita seasoning with gooey cheese and fresh cilantro garnish for a delicious, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds 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 ½ cups shredded cheese
Garnish
- fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Season Chicken: In a baking dish, season the chicken breasts evenly with the fajita seasoning and drizzle the vegetable oil over them. Use your hands to distribute the seasoning thoroughly for maximum flavor.
- Add Vegetables and Cheese: Arrange the sliced bell peppers and onions evenly over the seasoned chicken. Sprinkle a bit more fajita seasoning on top, then cover everything with the shredded cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro leaves for brightness and added flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness; the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) to ensure it is safe to eat.
- Any melting cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend works well for this recipe.
- For a lower calorie option, omit the shredded cheese and top with a mixture of parmesan and panko breadcrumbs sprayed lightly with oil before baking.
- To reduce cooking time, cube the chicken into smaller pieces before assembling the casserole.
- Add cooked pasta to the casserole for a more filling meal, ideally pasta cooked al dente.
- Serve alongside garlic butter pasta, plain rice, Mexican rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 388 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 483 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 153 mg
