Imagine the vibrant, smoky flavors of sizzling chicken fajitas—tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and savory onions—all baked into a comforting, cheesy casserole! This Chicken Fajita Casserole takes everything you love about classic fajitas and transforms it into an easy, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful dish. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, a fun family meal, or feeding a hungry crowd without the need for individual grilling or pan-frying.
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a huge fan of meals that bring big flavors with minimal fuss, and this Chicken Fajita Casserole absolutely nails it! What I truly adore is how it captures the essence of sizzling fajitas—that smoky, spicy, and savory chicken and veggie mix—and bakes it into a cohesive, cheesy comfort food. It delivers all the deliciousness without the constant flipping of individual pieces, making it a fantastic shortcut for a favorite Tex-Mex flavor. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile with toppings, allowing everyone to customize their own serving. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that simplifies a beloved classic into an effortless bake!
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large bell pepper (any color, or a mix), thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup milk (whole milk recommended)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
- Optional toppings for serving: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños
Swaps and Notes
- Chicken: Both boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work perfectly. Thighs tend to stay a bit juicier. Cut into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Bell Peppers & Onion: Any color bell pepper works well. Thinly slicing the vegetables ensures they cook down nicely in the casserole.
- Fajita Seasoning: A standard fajita seasoning packet is convenient. For a homemade version, use a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and a pinch of cayenne. Adjust to your spice preference.
- Rotel: Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies add a fantastic flavor base and a little kick. You can use regular diced tomatoes with a small can of diced green chilies if you prefer less spice.
- Black Beans (Optional): Rinsed and drained black beans add extra fiber and protein, making the casserole heartier.
- Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free, and creamy sauce.
- Milk: Whole milk will contribute to the creamiest sauce.
- Shredded Cheese: A Mexican blend cheese is perfect for this casserole. Cheddar or Monterey Jack also work well.
- Optional Toppings: The beauty of fajita flavors is in the toppings! Customize with your favorites for serving, including fresh ingredients that add a cool contrast.
Instructions:
1. Sauté Chicken & Veggies: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring, until no longer pink and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the thinly sliced bell pepper and thinly sliced onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
2. Add Tomatoes & Beans: Stir in the 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained). If using, add the 1 (15 oz) can rinsed and drained black beans. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring, and cook for 2-3 minutes to let flavors meld. Remove from heat.
3. Prepare Creamy Base: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1 (8 oz) block softened cream cheese and ½ cup milk until smooth and well combined.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of the creamy cream cheese mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Gently spread it out as much as possible. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and heated through. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese over the top. Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and golden brown.
6. Garnish & Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool slightly for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set. Garnish generously with your favorite fresh toppings such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, or sliced jalapeños. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Chicken Fajita Casserole!
Tips for Success
- Cut Chicken & Veggies Uniformly: Cut chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Don’t Overcook Veggies in Skillet: They’ll continue to cook in the oven, so you want them tender-crisp in the skillet.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Essential for a smooth creamy base that blends easily.
- Don’t Overcrowd Skillet: Cook chicken in batches if needed to ensure browning, not steaming.
- Rest Casserole Before Serving: This helps the cheese and filling set, making for cleaner scoops.
- Add Fresh Toppings at Serving: Cool, fresh toppings provide a fantastic textural and temperature contrast to the warm casserole.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a complete, satisfying meal on its own, perfect for any casual occasion.
- Side Dishes: Serve with a simple side salad, warm tortillas, or extra tortilla chips for scooping.
- Rice: A side of plain white rice or cilantro lime rice would be a great complement. For a similar dish in a different format, check out This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit.
- Drinks: Pair with cold soda, beer, or a refreshing margarita.
- Other Tex-Mex Favorites: It would fit perfectly into a spread with These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners or These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast. For more cheesy casserole inspiration, see This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut.
- Burrito Bar: If you love the flavors, you could even take inspiration from this and create a burrito bar using this chicken mix with our Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito recipe.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This casserole is fantastic for making ahead, and leftovers are a treat!
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and vegetable mixture (steps 1-2) up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Prepare the creamy cheese mixture (step 3) just before assembling and baking.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover Chicken Fajita Casserole (without fresh toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For a crisper top, reheat in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and hot.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes well! Once completely cooled, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Add fresh toppings after reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a vibrant, easy, and incredibly satisfying dish that brings all the beloved flavors of fajitas into a comforting baked form. It’s perfect for any occasion that calls for a fun, flavorful, and fuss-free meal. Get ready to dig into this cheesy, hearty delight!
What are your favorite ways to enjoy fajita flavors, or do you have a go-to casserole recipe that’s always a hit with your family? Share your insights and feedback in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Chefmaniac for more exciting and delicious recipes!
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