Mexican Chicken Fajita Casserole is my go-to when I’m craving bold, zesty flavors in a warm, cheesy, baked dish. It has all the delicious elements of classic chicken fajitas—seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, and plenty of gooey cheese—brought together in a comforting casserole. I love how it’s simple to prep, full of color, and loaded with flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this casserole because it turns fajitas into an easy, oven-baked meal with minimal mess. Everything goes into one dish, and it still delivers the smoky, spicy flavor I expect from sizzling skillet fajitas. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a hungry group. Plus, it’s low-carb friendly and easily adaptable to what I have in the fridge.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Cooked chicken breast, shredded or sliced
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Bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced
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Onion, sliced
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Cream cheese, softened
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Sour cream
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Shredded Mexican blend cheese
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Taco or fajita seasoning
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper
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Fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
Directions
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I start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
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In a skillet, I heat olive oil and sauté the sliced peppers and onions until softened and slightly charred.
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In a large bowl, I mix the cream cheese, sour cream, fajita seasoning, and half of the shredded cheese until smooth.
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I fold in the cooked chicken and sautéed vegetables, stirring until everything is coated in the creamy mixture.
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I transfer the mixture to the casserole dish and spread it evenly.
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I top it with the remaining shredded cheese.
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I bake the casserole uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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I let it rest for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped cilantro and serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to bake, so I usually have it ready in about 40 minutes total.
Variations
Sometimes I add cooked rice or black beans to make it more filling. For a spicier version, I stir in chopped jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese. If I want a low-carb meal, I skip the rice and serve it with a side salad or roasted veggies. It’s also great with rotisserie chicken for extra convenience.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I use the microwave or warm it in the oven at 325°F until heated through. If it looks a little dry, I add a spoonful of sour cream before reheating. It also freezes well—just thaw overnight and reheat as usual.
FAQs
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?
I prefer using pre-cooked chicken to save time, but I can use raw chicken—just dice it, season it, and cook it in a skillet before mixing it into the casserole.
What kind of cheese works best?
I usually go with a shredded Mexican blend, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack all melt beautifully and add great flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I often assemble the whole casserole in the morning, cover it, and refrigerate until dinnertime. Then I bake it just before serving.
Is this casserole spicy?
It’s mildly spiced from the fajita seasoning, but I can turn up the heat with extra chili powder, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
What can I serve with this?
I like serving it with tortilla chips, rice, or a side of guacamole and salsa. It also works great in warm tortillas like a baked fajita filling.
Conclusion
Mexican Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful, satisfying meal that brings all the sizzle of fajitas into a cheesy, creamy, baked dish. I love how easy it is to throw together, how adaptable it is to whatever ingredients I have, and how it always delivers on taste. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to, whether I’m feeding a family or meal prepping for the week.
PrintMexican Chicken Fajita Casserole
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Mexican Chicken Fajita Casserole is a cheesy, creamy baked dish filled with seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, and fajita spices. It captures all the bold flavors of chicken fajitas in a cozy, one-pan meal perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
- Author: Mayaa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco or fajita seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté bell peppers and onion until softened and slightly charred.
- In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, fajita seasoning, salt, pepper, and half of the shredded cheese until smooth.
- Fold in the cooked chicken and sautéed vegetables until well coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped cilantro and serving.
Notes
- Add cooked rice or black beans for a heartier version.
- Use pepper jack for extra heat, or mix in jalapeños.
- Serve with tortilla chips, rice, or as a filling in tortillas.
- Use rotisserie chicken for extra convenience and faster prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
