Skip the sizzling skillet and make Chicken Fajita Casserole instead! This easy one-pan dinner has all the flavors of classic chicken fajitas, juicy chicken, colorful peppers, onions, melty cheese, and zesty fajita seasoning, baked together in one simple casserole. It's an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love, and leftovers are just as delicious the next day.
It's also great for meal prep, so you can't go wrong with this simple recipe.
Why you'll love this chicken fajita casserole
- Everything bakes together in one casserole dish, so cleanup is quick.
- All the classic fajita flavors without standing over a hot skillet.
- Naturally low carb and gluten-free when served without tortillas.
- Easy to customize with different vegetables, beans, or extra cheese.
- Great for meal prep because leftovers reheat beautifully.
Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts about 1 ¼ pound, you can also use chicken thighs if you prefer. Sliced into thin strips.
- 3 bell peppers I recommend using a rainbow of colors. Sliced into strips.
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 jalapenos thinly sliced, seeded if desired (optional)
- 10 ounce Rotel (canned tomatoes with green chilies) drained.
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 casserole dish, set aside.
- Thinly slice the chicken into strips. Place in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with olive oil and two tablespoons fajita seasoning.
- Slice the bell peppers, jalapeno and onion into thin strips. Add to the bowl with the chicken. Add remaining olive oil and fajita mix. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Pour in the Rotel tomatoes, and mix to combine everything. Spoon into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top the dish with shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is melty.
- If desired for the last two minutes, place the chicken under the broiler for 2 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
- Serve with warmed tortillas and your favorite toppings!
Notes
Nutrition
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Ingredients you'll need
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements.
- Chicken breasts - lean, tender, and cook quickly.
- Bell peppers - use a mix of colors for sweetness and color.
- Onion - yellow or sweet onions become wonderfully tender.
- Rotel tomatoes - adds tomatoes plus green chilies without extra work.
- Fajita seasoning - brings all those classic Tex-Mex flavors.
- Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese - creates the melty topping everyone loves.
Creative variations to try
- Stretch this casserole a little further by adding a can of drained and rinsed black beans, pinto beans or corn. Just be sure to drain the corn if you're using canned.
- Serve it with low-carb tortillas, or on top of a bed of cauliflower rice for a low-carb, delicious meal.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, check the recipe card.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Yes. Assemble the casserole up to a day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
Absolutely. Bake, cool completely, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
Deb's test kitchen notes
I've made this casserole with both chicken breasts and chicken thighs, and both turn out delicious. Chicken thighs stay a little juicier, while chicken breasts are leaner and cook up beautifully as long as they're sliced into thin, even strips.
One thing I learned after testing is to drain the Rotel well before mixing everything together. It keeps the vegetables crisp-tender instead of watery and lets the fajita seasoning really shine.
If you love that bubbly, golden cheese on top as much as I do, don't skip the last couple of minutes under the broiler. It's worth it!
Related recipes
- Are you looking for new ideas for easy dinners the whole family will love? If so, check out these Easy Chicken Casserole recipes for a few minutes. There are bound to be a few that your family will enjoy.
- This Taco Spaghetti is my favorite casserole when I crave a creamy, cheesy, and hearty meal. You will love this simple taco-inspired casserole recipe.
- Hash Brown Taco Casserole - this easy recipe will quickly become part of the weekly rotation!
- This Mexican Chicken Marinade recipe is a main dish that the entire family will love when you want something healthy, light, and flavorful.
What to serve with chicken fajita casserole
This casserole is a meal all on its own, but adding a few simple sides turns it into a feast! I love serving it with fluffy Cilantro Lime Rice to soak up all those flavorful juices, along with a side of Black Beans for an easy, hearty addition.
If you're feeding a crowd, my Mexican Street Corn Casserole is always a hit and pairs beautifully with the fajita flavors. And don't forget a big scoop of Creamy Guacamole for topping each serving or scooping up with tortilla chips. It's fresh, creamy, and the finishing touch that brings everything together.
An easy dinner you'll make again and again!
If you're looking for an easy dinner that's packed with flavor and doesn't leave you with a sink full of dishes, this Chicken Fajita Casserole is one you'll want to make again and again. It's simple enough for busy weeknights, easy to customize with your favorite toppings, and just as delicious the next day.
When you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and a star rating to let me know how it turned out, or share your favorite toppings and serving ideas. Happy cooking!
Lois says
This is a wonderful recipe. Very tasty and so enjoyable. Love it.
Sandra says
I would love to try several recipes, however I need nutrition info. Diabetic husband. One dish meals are tricky to calculate.
Bowl Me Over says
Sandra check the recipe card. Every recipe has nutritional information included at the bottom of the card. You can use the slide bar if you need to change the number of servings. Just hover over the current number of servings. That will make it easier for you to make smaller serving sizes.