Description
This Fajita Chicken Casserole is a cheesy, oven-baked dish combining seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, rice, and a creamy broth for a hearty, all-in-one meal that captures the flavors of classic fajitas with minimal prep.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 packet (1 oz / 28 g) fajita seasoning mix
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with fajita seasoning until well coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the seasoned chicken for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Spread uncooked rice in the baking dish, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to distribute evenly.
- Layer sliced bell peppers and onion over the rice mixture. Add the partially cooked chicken on top.
- Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the rice is tender, the chicken is fully cooked, and cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitute brown rice for white, but increase broth and baking time.
- Make ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- For more spice, add chili powder or sliced jalapeños.
- Add cooked beans or extra vegetables for more texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
