This Easy Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole is a fun and tasty dish packed with chicken, peppers, and lots of cheese! It all comes together in one pan for quick clean-up.
You can’t go wrong with melted cheese on top! I love serving this with some crunchy tortilla chips on the side. It’s like a party on a plate—who’s ready to dig in? 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: I recommend using cooked and shredded chicken breasts for the best texture. You can substitute with rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option!
Bell Peppers: Red and green bell peppers add color and flavor, but you can use any color you prefer (yellow, orange) or add other veggies like zucchini or corn. If you want to skip the bell peppers entirely, spinach or kale work great too.
Sour Cream: For a lighter option, Greek yogurt is a nice substitute that keeps the creaminess. You can also use vegan sour cream for a dairy-free version.
Cheeses: Cheddar and Monterey Jack are classic choices, but feel free to mix it up! Pepper Jack adds a spicy kick, or you can use a dairy-free cheese for a vegan option.
Salsa: Choose your preferred level of heat! If you don’t have salsa, diced tomatoes and a bit of hot sauce can do the trick.
How Do I Ensure the Perfectly Cooked Casserole?
Cooking casseroles can be tricky! Here are a few tips to nail it every time:
- Preheating: Always preheat your oven to ensure even cooking from the start.
- Mix Well: When combining the chicken and veggies, make sure everything is well mixed. This helps distribute the flavors throughout the dish.
- Bake Time: Keep an eye on your casserole! Bake until the cheese is gooey and bubbly. If it starts to brown too much, you can cover it lightly with foil.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting it sit for a few minutes after baking allows it to set and makes serving easier.
Easy Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa (mild or medium depending on preference)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This casserole recipe takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time. In total, you’re looking at around 35 minutes from start to finish. It’s a quick way to whip up a delicious meal for family or friends!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This helps ensure that your casserole cooks evenly.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell peppers. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until they are softened. Once cooked, remove the skillet from the heat.
3. Mix the Filling:
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, the sautéed vegetables, sour cream, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it’s mixed well.
4. Add Cheese:
Now, stir in half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese into the chicken mixture. This will add extra creaminess and flavor!
5. Prepare the Baking Dish:
Transfer the chicken mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly so it cooks thoroughly.
6. Top It Off:
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole. This will create a delicious cheesy crust when baked.
7. Bake:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve:
Once it’s done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps to cool it down slightly and makes it easier to cut.
9. Garnish and Enjoy:
Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm along with tortilla chips or over rice for a delicious meal!
Enjoy your cheesy, flavorful chicken fajita casserole! It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
FAQ for Easy Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken! Just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. For quick thawing, submerge the sealed chicken in cold water for about an hour or leave it in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, cook and shred it before adding it to the casserole.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the wrap and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since it will be cold from the fridge.
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave until warm or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You may want to add a splash of salsa or a little cheese on top before reheating to enhance the flavor!
Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
Yes! To make a vegetarian version, simply replace the shredded chicken with an equal amount of black beans, pinto beans, or a mix of your favorite veggies. You can also add quinoa for extra protein and texture!
