Chicken Fajita Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
or olive oil, or canola oil; divided
- 1 medium onion
thinly sliced
- 2 medium bell peppers
cores removed, thinly sliced; see Notes
- 1 ½ pounds boneless
skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips or bite-sized chunks
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese
at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
Mexican cheese blend preferred, divided
- 1 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- more or less to taste½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- sour cream
- pico de gallo
- guacamole
store-bought or make your own
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
- 2
Heat cast-iron or other oven-safe skillet on stovetop over medium heat. When pan is warm, add 1 tablespoon avocado oil. Swirl or tilt skillet to distribute oil across entire surface, and continue heating skillet until oil is hot and shimmery.
- 3
When oil is hot, add sliced onion and bell peppers to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are tender and softened, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer sautéed peppers and onions to large plate and set aside.
- 4
Add remaining 1 tablespoon avocado oil to skillet and swirl pan to coat. Heat pan until oil is hot and shimmery, then add chicken to skillet. Cook chicken 3 to 4 minutes, stirring once or twice, until chicken is opaque and lightly golden in spots.
- 5
While chicken cooks, add cream cheese, ½ cup shredded cheese, fajita veggies, and fajita seasoning to large mixing bowl. Stir ingredients together until well incorporated. Set bowl aside.
- 6
Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, and salt to skillet and stir to incorporate. Cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant, approximately 30 to 60 seconds.
- 7
Transfer chicken and garlic mixture to bowl with cream cheese mixture. Stir to fully incorporate ingredients, then transfer mixture into same cast-iron skillet. Spread mixture out into one even layer, covering bottom of skillet completely.
- 8
Top chicken mixture with remaining 1 cup shredded cheese, spreading cheese out into one even layer.
- 9
Place skillet in preheated oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken is cooked through.
- 10
Carefully remove skillet from oven and set aside to rest 3 to 5 minutes. Top casserole as desired, divide into portions, and serve warm over rice, in tortillas, or as-is.
Chicken Fajita Casserole
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About this Recipe
Craving the vibrant, sizzling flavors of fajitas but looking for a cozy, fuss-free weeknight meal? This Chicken Fajita Casserole delivers all the zesty, savory taste you love in an incredibly easy, family-friendly bake. It’s the perfect answer for busy evenings when you want homemade comfort without spending hours in the kitchen.
This recipe shines by transforming classic fajita ingredients into a creamy, satisfying casserole. The genius lies in combining tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and savory onions with a rich, velvety fajita cream sauce. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy all the craveable fajita goodness with minimal effort, ensuring every forkful is packed with flavor and comforting warmth.
Prepare for a hearty, flavorful dish with a fantastic balance of textures. You'll find succulent chicken strips or chunks, softened bell peppers, and caramelized onions, all enrobed in a generously seasoned, cheesy cream sauce. The fajita seasoning, minced garlic, and smoked paprika infuse the entire casserole with an aromatic, slightly smoky, and savory kick. This dish promises a comforting and satisfying experience that will quickly become a family favorite.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to experiment with the bell peppers—using a mix of red, yellow, and orange adds beautiful color and varied sweetness. While a Mexican cheese blend is preferred, cheddar or Monterey Jack can also work wonderfully to create that bubbly, golden topping. For the oil, use what you have on hand from avocado, olive, or canola oil. Don’t forget the fresh cilantro for a bright finish!
Serve this versatile casserole hot, either nestled in warm tortillas for a classic fajita experience or spooned over a bed of fluffy rice for a hearty, complete meal. Garnish with cool sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, and creamy guacamole to add layers of texture and zesty flavor.