Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade – recipe below)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Lime wedges
Homemade Fajita Seasoning (Optional):
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with half of the fajita seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Slice the bell peppers and onion into thin strips.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and peppers, seasoning them with the remaining fajita seasoning. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until they are slightly softened but still crisp.
- Transfer the vegetables to a large casserole dish.
3. Cook the Chicken
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked through. It will finish cooking in the oven.
- Layer the chicken on top of the vegetables in the casserole dish.
4. Assemble the Casserole
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
- Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
5. Bake the Casserole
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
6. Garnish and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Serve warm with optional sides like rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g