Description
This Cheesy Baked Chicken Fajita Casserole is the ultimate low-effort, high-flavor dinner that brings the sizzling taste of fajitas straight to your oven. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with bold spices, topped with crisp peppers and onions, and smothered in melted cheese for a one-pan meal that is both healthy and indulgent. Perfect for low-carb diets or anyone who loves a quick cleanup, this 30-minute meal delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal work.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or olive oil)
- 2 medium bell peppers (any color), cut into strips
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into strips
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican Blend)
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Season Chicken
Place the chicken breasts directly into the baking dish.
Coat
Drizzle with the vegetable oil and sprinkle generously with the fajita seasoning. Rub the oil and spices all over the chicken with your hands to ensure it is thoroughly coated.
Layer Veggies
Top the seasoned chicken with the sliced bell peppers and onions. Tip: You can sprinkle a little extra pinch of seasoning over the vegetables if you like bold flavor.
Add Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the vegetables and chicken.
Bake
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes. Check: Cook until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes (to keep the juices inside the chicken). Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
Notes
Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are very thick, slice them in half horizontally (butterfly style) to create thinner cutlets. This ensures they cook through in 25 minutes without drying out, matching the cooking time of the peppers perfectly.
Cheese Timing: If you prefer your cheese melted but not browned, bake the chicken and veggies for 20 minutes first, then add the cheese for the final 5–10 minutes of baking.
Diet Friendly: This recipe is naturally Keto and Low-Carb. Just ensure your fajita seasoning packet doesn’t contain added sugar or cornstarch fillers.
Substitutions: No fajita seasoning? Taco seasoning works as a great substitute. You can also swap chicken breasts for boneless skinless thighs for a juicier bite.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of Recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: chicken fajita casserole, keto chicken dinner, low carb casserole, baked fajitas, sheet pan chicken, healthy mexican recipes, gluten free dinner