Description
Sizzling Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken brings Mexican-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with bold spices and melted cheese. Spicy, tender chicken nestled with colorful peppers creates a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 1/2 (1 ounce) packet of fajita seasoning
Dairy and Cheese:
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 12 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)
Vegetables and Extras:
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced
- 1/3 cup salsa
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer across the bottom of the dish, ensuring even spacing.
- Whisk cream cheese, salsa, and fajita seasoning in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes completely smooth and uniform.
- Generously coat each chicken breast with the cream cheese blend, making sure every surface is covered.
- Distribute bell pepper slices across the top of the cream cheese-covered chicken, creating a colorful layer.
- Liberally scatter shredded cheese over the peppers, ensuring complete coverage while preventing potential burning by adding cheese midway through cooking.
- Position the dish on the center oven rack and bake for 25-40 minutes, monitoring chicken doneness through internal temperature or clear juices.
- Allow the dish to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps redistribute juices and enhance flavor.
- Plate the chicken alongside preferred accompaniments like Spanish rice, cauliflower rice, or warm tortillas for a complete meal experience.
- Garnish with optional fresh herbs or additional salsa before serving to elevate the dish’s visual appeal and taste profile.
Notes
- Check chicken thickness to ensure even cooking, using a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Customize the heat level by selecting mild or spicy salsa and adjusting fajita seasoning according to personal preference.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat cream cheese and part-skim shredded cheese without compromising flavor intensity.
- Prepare a gluten-free version by confirming seasoning blend is certified gluten-free and serving with gluten-free tortillas or cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 45
- Calories: 296
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 334 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg