CHICKEN FAJITA CASSEROLE

Chicken Fajita Casserole combines the flavors of chicken fajitas in a delicious casserole.  Chicken, peppers, onions and black beans are combined with a creamy cheese mixture before being baked to perfection.

Casseroles are perfect for weeknight dinners and this one is absolutely delicious. Only about 10 minutes of prep is needed to make easy version of chicken fajitas. While the casserole is baking, you can get some side dishes ready, or clean the kitchen, or read a book…no last minute frantic prep work to get dinner on the table.

Why you’ll love this Chicken Fajita Casserole recipe:

• Easy to make. Only 10 minutes of prep needed. Most of the ingredients are simple ones that you likely have on hand.
• Versatile. Casseroles are wonderful because you can add or subtract ingredients easily and make the dish exactly how your family likes it. You can use up any veggies you have on hand, you can swap out the chicken with steak or pork, you can use different kinds of cheese or beans…the possibilities are endless.
• Delicious. Even the pickiest eaters will devour this recipe! I love making dinners that all my kids will eat, and this is one of those dishes that is on a regular rotation at our house because of it’s popularity. I also love that this dish is naturally gluten free and high in protein.

What to serve with Chicken Fajita Casserole

Chicken Fajita Casserole is a great one-dish meal, but you can add some sides if you’d like. Serve with regular white rice or Easy Spanish Rice if you want to make the meal more filling or spread a little further. Easy Mango Fruit Salad goes really well with this dish, and we love serving Cheesy Cornbread Muffins alongside this casserole. Serve some Strawberry Tres Leches Cake for dessert and you’ve got the perfect meal!

Ingredients in Chicken Fajita Casserole

• Olive oil: This is used to cook the chicken and vegetables and add flavor as well.
• Chicken breast: Sliced chicken breast is the main protein source in the casserole.
• Green bell pepper: Adds a fresh and sweet flavor to the dish.
• Red bell pepper: Adds a slightly sweeter and milder flavor than the green bell pepper.
• Yellow onion: Adds a slightly sweet and tangy flavor and is a must-have ingredient in fajitas. Unless you hate onions and want to leave them out.
• Fajita seasoning: This is a blend of spices that includes chili powder, cumin, garlic, and paprika. It adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the dish.
• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds a tangy flavor and a lot of creaminess to the casserole.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded cheese. To reduce the calories, you can cut the amount of cheese. You can also swap out the cheese with Cheddar Jack or a Mexican blend.
• Black beans: Adds a healthy dose of fiber and protein to the dish.
• Cilantro: Optional garnish that looks pretty and adds a fresh flavor.

How to make Chicken Fajita Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Chicken Preparation

To prepare the chicken for the Chicken Fajita Casserole, start by slicing 1 pound of chicken breast into thin, even pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside for later use.

Vegetable Preparation

The vegetables used in this recipe are 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, and 1 yellow onion. Slice the peppers and onion into thin, even pieces. In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, drizzle a little extra olive oil if necessary, then add the sliced peppers and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just softened. This should take around 5-7 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat.

Cheese Preparation

To prepare the cheese for the Chicken Fajita Casserole, start by adding 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.

Put it all together

For the final ingredient, you will need a 15oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed. Once the chicken and vegetables are cooked and removed from heat, add the cooked chicken, cooked pepper mixture, and black beans to the mixing bowl with the cheese mixture. Mix until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Make sure to spread the mixture evenly in the dish to ensure even baking.

Bake the casserole

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top of the casserole, if desired.

Chicken Fajita Casserole

Chicken Fajita Casserole combines the flavors of chicken fajitas in a delicious casserole.  Chicken, peppers, onions and black beans are combined with a creamy cheese mixture before being baked to perfection.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Casserole

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Chicken Fajita Casserole

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 713kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breast sliced
• 1 green bell pepper sliced
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 yellow onion sliced
• 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
• 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
• 15 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed
• Cilantro roughly chopped, for garnishing (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat.  Add the sliced chicken and cook, stirring, until cooked through.  You can make sure the chicken is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer and making sure the internal recipe is 165°. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• Drizzle a little extra olive oil in the skillet if necessary, then add the sliced peppers and onion.  Cook, stirring, until just softened.  Add the fajita seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.  Remove from heat.
• Add the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to a large mixing bowl.  Mix until well combined.  Add the cooked chicken, cooked pepper mixture and black beans, and mix until well combined.
• Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheese over the top.
• Bake for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle the chopped cilantro on top (if desired) just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 713kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 1191mg | Potassium: 1020mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2525IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 509mg | Iron: 3mg

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How to store chicken fajita casserole

Store this casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.  Reheat using the oven or microwave.

Due to the cream cheese in the recipe, this casserole is not suitable for freezing.

What are some variations of chicken fajita casserole?

There are many variations of chicken fajita casserole. Some popular variations include adding diced tomatoes, using different types of cheese, adding corn or rice, and using different types of peppers. You can also use different seasonings to change up the flavor, such as taco seasoning or cajun seasoning.

Can you use tortillas in a chicken fajita casserole?

Yes, you can use tortillas in a chicken fajita casserole. Simply layer tortillas on the bottom of the baking dish before adding the chicken and pepper mixture. You can also layer tortillas between the chicken and pepper mixture and on top of the cheese.

MORE DELICIOUS CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY:

• Coca-Cola Chicken
• Best Chicken Tenders Recipe
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna
• Chicken Pineapple Tacos
• Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken
• Cheesy Grilled Pineapple Chicken
• Chicken Garlic Butter Pasta
• Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Easy Chicken Enchiladas
• Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
• Chicken Avocado Quesadillas
• Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Zesty Italian Chicken

Chicken Fajita Casserole combines the flavors of chicken fajitas in a delicious casserole.  Chicken, peppers, onions and black beans are combined with a creamy cheese mixture before being baked to perfection.