Description
Spicy Mexican Fajita Chicken Casserole brings zesty southwest flavors to dinner tables with minimal effort. Cheesy layers of tender chicken, bell peppers, and robust seasonings promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cooked rice
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 packet (28 grams) fajita seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Sauce and Condiments:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) salsa
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature, sautéing bell peppers and onions until they soften and become translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Blend shredded chicken, cooked rice, fajita seasoning, sour cream, and salsa in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Fold the sautéed vegetables into the chicken mixture, creating a cohesive blend of flavors and textures.
- Distribute half of the shredded cheese into the mixture, stirring gently to incorporate.
- Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, creating a complete coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with tortilla chips or a crisp side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting the fajita seasoning or adding diced jalapeños for extra spiciness.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy protein shortcut that saves preparation time.
- Make it gluten-free by ensuring the fajita seasoning and salsa are certified gluten-free and using cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.
- Prep this dish ahead of time by assembling everything except the cheese topping, then refrigerate and add cheese just before baking for maximum freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 489 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg