Description
This Fajita Chicken Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish combining tender strips of seasoned chicken with sautéed bell peppers and onions, creamy sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection, it’s a comforting meal perfect for family dinners, offering the delicious taste of fajitas in a simple casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb (450g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 packet fajita seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Dairy and Garnishes
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken strips and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Season Chicken: Stir in the fajita seasoning mix until all chicken pieces are well-coated evenly for full flavor.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the seasoned chicken, sliced red and green bell peppers, sliced onion, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, sour cream, drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, spreading it out evenly to allow uniform baking.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole for a cheesy finish.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil to keep moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Cool Slightly: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for a fresh, tangy accent.
Notes
- For extra heat, add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the mixture before baking.
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for a different flavor profile.
- To make it lower in fat, consider using reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- This casserole pairs well with rice, tortillas, or a simple green salad.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
