Description
Sizzling flavors of chicken fajita casserole dance across your plate with Tex-Mex excitement. Cheesy layers and bold spices create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 packet fajita seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade fajita seasoning)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Dairy and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (10 ounces / 283 grams) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray.
- Create a flavor-packed marinade by combining fajita seasoning, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat chicken strips with the seasoning mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly distributed and well-seasoned.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken in a uniform layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Strategically distribute colorful bell peppers, diced onions, and zesty Rotel tomatoes over the chicken layer.
- Craft a creamy sauce by whisking together sour cream and heavy cream until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently drizzle the cream mixture across the vegetable and chicken landscape, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Generously blanket the casserole with a combination of shredded Mexican and mozzarella cheeses, creating an enticing golden topping.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden crust and chicken reaches complete doneness.
- Extract the casserole from the oven and enhance its visual appeal by sprinkling freshly chopped cilantro across the surface.
- Serve immediately, offering versatile serving options such as accompanying rice, tucking into warm tortillas, or enjoying as a standalone dish.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper based on heat tolerance for a personalized spice level that won’t overwhelm taste buds.
- Slice chicken and vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, diet-friendly alternatives that maintain creamy richness.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help cheese set and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg