If you’re in the mood for a hearty, flavor-packed dinner that’s a total crowd-pleaser and easy to throw together on a busy weeknight, Chicken Fajita Casserole is calling your name. This colorful dish layers juicy chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and melted cheese into one irresistible, comforting bake. There’s just enough spice to keep things interesting, and every bite is equal parts zesty, cheesy, and full of that fajita-inspired flair. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, you’ll love how Chicken Fajita Casserole fuses classic Tex-Mex vibes with the bake-and-serve ease of a casserole.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These straightforward ingredients create magic when they come together, each playing an important role in the casserole’s flavor and texture. Colorful peppers, two kinds of gooey cheese, and bold fajita spices all combine for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Chicken breasts: Sliced thin for juicy, tender bites that soak up the seasoning.
Bell peppers (red, yellow, and green): Their rainbow of colors brings freshness, sweetness, and that unmistakable fajita crunch.
Yellow onion: Melts into the casserole, adding sweetness and depth that round out the flavors.
Olive oil: Helps the spices cling and keeps everything moist during baking.
Chili powder: Lends that familiar, smoky fajita base you can’t skip.
Cumin: Brings a warm, earthy kick—just a little goes a long way.
Garlic powder: Adds savory depth and makes the whole dish extra aromatic.
Paprika: Offers a touch of color and gentle smokiness.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and brings everything into balance.
Black pepper: Adds just the right background heat for savory punch.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Perfect if you like your Chicken Fajita Casserole with a little extra heat!
Shredded cheddar cheese: For melty, sharp flavor and a gooey top.
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Balances everything out with its mild creaminess.
Fresh cilantro (optional): Sprinkle on top for a pop of vibrant color and freshness.
Nonstick cooking spray: Keeps cleanup a breeze and ensures nothing sticks to your baking dish.

How to Make Chicken Fajita Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Get things going by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a thorough coat of nonstick cooking spray. This simple step ensures your Chicken Fajita Casserole lifts out perfectly every time, with less mess later.

Step 2: Mix Up the Fajita Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine your sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onion. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle over the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and those red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy. Toss everything together so that every piece is evenly coated in all those bold, zesty spices. This is where the flavor magic truly happens!

Step 3: Assemble and Start Baking

Spread the seasoned mixture into your prepared baking dish, making sure it’s all in an even layer. Pop the dish into your hot oven, covered with foil, and bake for about 25 minutes. Covering it for this first bake keeps the chicken super juicy while those peppers and onions start to caramelize underneath.

Step 4: Cheesy Finishing Touches

Remove the foil, then sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top of your casserole. Slide it back into the oven uncovered for another 10 to 12 minutes. This is when everything gets beautifully golden, and the cheese bubbles to perfection—exactly what makes Chicken Fajita Casserole so irresistible.

Step 5: Rest, Garnish, and Serve

Once the cheese is melty and the chicken is cooked through, take the dish out and let it rest for 5 minutes. This quick pause helps all the flavors settle and makes it easier to scoop out neat servings. If you love a fresh finish, sprinkle generously with chopped cilantro before serving.

How to Serve Chicken Fajita Casserole

Garnishes

The right garnish adds both color and freshness to your Chicken Fajita Casserole. A handful of chopped cilantro not only looks inviting but also adds a lovely herbal note that balances the richness of the cheese and spices. If you like, add a squeeze of lime, or scatter some sliced green onions or jalapeños for a little zing and crunch.

Side Dishes

Chicken Fajita Casserole plays nicely with all sorts of sides! It’s delicious served over steamy rice, tucked into warm tortillas for fajita-inspired wraps, or even ladled atop a crisp bed of lettuce if you want to keep things low-carb. For a heartier meal, try it with black beans or roasted corn on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to really wow your guests or just change things up, consider layering the Chicken Fajita Casserole into individual ramekins for personal servings or scooping it into taco shells for appetizer-sized bites. You can also top it with crushed tortilla chips just before serving for extra crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Chicken Fajita Casserole, let it cool completely before transferring it into an airtight container. It’ll keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it ideal for quick lunches or an easy dinner the next night.

Freezing

This casserole freezes surprisingly well! Wrap leftover portions or the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just be sure to skip the fresh cilantro garnish until after reheating—it’ll taste freshest added just before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, place portions in a microwave-safe container and microwave in one-minute intervals until heated through, or bake leftovers in a 350°F oven, covered, until the cheese is bubbly and everything’s hot. If reheating from frozen, let the Chicken Fajita Casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight for the best results.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add an extra boost of flavor and juiciness to your Chicken Fajita Casserole. Just slice them thin, trim excess fat, and follow the recipe as written—cooking times will remain the same.

How spicy is this casserole?

As written, the heat level is mild with just the right kick from the chili powder and optional red pepper flakes. For more spice, add extra red pepper flakes or even a diced jalapeño to the mix before baking.

Is it possible to make Chicken Fajita Casserole dairy-free?

Definitely! Swap in your favorite dairy-free cheese alternatives and make sure your toppings are plant-based. You’ll still get that melty, satisfying experience without any dairy.

Can this recipe be prepped ahead?

Yes, you can assemble the entire uncooked casserole, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to eat, bake as directed—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s going straight from the fridge to the oven.

Do I need to marinate the chicken?

No marinating required! The thinly sliced chicken gets plenty of flavor from tossing directly with the spices, and covering the casserole for the first bake keeps it extra juicy and tender as it cooks.

Final Thoughts

Chicken Fajita Casserole brings all the vibrant, crowd-pleasing flavors of classic fajitas into an easy, bake-and-serve dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining. Give it a try and watch it disappear—this cheesy, colorful casserole is sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen too!

Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a delicious twist on classic fajitas, combining tender chicken strips, colorful bell peppers, and gooey melted cheese for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Fajita Casserole Ingredients:

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin strips)
3 bell peppers (red, yellow, and green, sliced)
1 large yellow onion (sliced)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Prepare the chicken and veggies: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onion with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Bake the casserole: Spread the seasoned mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle both cheeses evenly over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for an additional 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through.
Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.