This Chicken Fajita Casserole combines juicy chicken, colorful peppers, brown rice, bold fajita spices, and gooey cheddar cheese for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
You know those nights where you’re just done? Like, the kind where you’re staring at the fridge hoping dinner will magically cook itself? Yeah… that was me the night this Chicken Fajita Casserole happened.
We’d just come back from a weekend road trip—one of those where you get home and realize, “Oops… I forgot to meal plan.” All I had in the fridge was some chicken, a few sad bell peppers, and leftover brown rice from the night before. Not exactly inspiring.
But instead of caving and ordering takeout (again), I figured I’d toss everything into a casserole dish and hope for the best. Chicken, peppers, some canned tomatoes, a handful of spices… and, of course, a ridiculous amount of cheese because, well, cheese fixes everything.
When I pulled it out of the oven? Pure magic. The chicken was tender, the peppers were soft but still had a little bite, and the cheese? Golden, bubbly perfection. My family devoured it—and even asked for seconds (which, let’s be real, doesn’t always happen).
Now it’s my go-to on those “I can’t deal with dinner tonight” kind of evenings.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe?
- One Pan Wonder: Toss it all together, bake, and boom—dinner’s ready.
- Comfort Food Goals: Smoky, cheesy, and loaded with flavor.
- Healthy-ish: Brown rice, lean chicken, and colorful veggies? Sounds pretty balanced to me.
- Minimal Cleanup: Fewer dishes = happier you.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Leftovers? Even better the next day.
Ingredient Notes:
This Chicken Fajita Casserole keeps it simple but packs major flavor. Here’s why these ingredients work so well together:
- Chicken Breasts: Sliced thin so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Brown Rice: Hearty and filling with a nice nutty bite. If you prefer white rice, go for it!
- Bell Peppers: Pick your favorite colors—red, yellow, green—more color = more fun.
- Onion: Sweetens up as it bakes, balancing out all those spices.
- Diced Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes give an extra smoky kick, but regular ones work too.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melted, bubbly, and golden—need I say more?
- Spices: Cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne… basically, Tex-Mex magic.
- Olive Oil: Keeps everything juicy and helps the spices stick.
Pro Tip: If you want even more fajita flavor, you can totally use a store-bought fajita seasoning packet instead of the individual spices!
How To Make Chicken Fajita Casserole?
You’re about to see just how easy this Chicken Fajita Casserole really is.
Step 1. Preheat the Oven:
Fire up your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish—no sticking, no mess.
Step 2. Mix Everything Together:
In a big bowl, toss together the sliced chicken, cooked rice, peppers, onion, drained tomatoes, olive oil, and all those delicious spices. Mix well—like, really get in there so every piece is coated in flavor.
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Step 3. Transfer to the Dish:
Pour the chicken mixture right into the greased casserole dish. No fancy layers—just spread it out evenly.
Step 4. Bake (Without the Cheese Yet!):
Pop it into the oven for 20 minutes. This lets the chicken cook through and the spices do their thing.
Step 5. Cheese Time:
Now for the best part—sprinkle that shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Be generous. Then back in the oven it goes for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melty, bubbly, and golden brown.
Step 6. Let It Rest:
Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Trust me—it’s worth the wait.
Storage Options:
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Yes, you can freeze it! Portion it out and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for the best results. Microwave works too, but the oven keeps it crispy.
Variations and Substitutions:
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is super versatile. Try these fun swaps:
- Extra Spicy: Add more cayenne or sliced jalapeños.
- Different Proteins: Use ground turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even shrimp!
- Rice Swaps: Try white rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in mushrooms, zucchini, or corn.
- Cheese Lover’s Edition: Pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend would all be amazing.
What to Serve with Chicken Fajita Casserole?
This casserole is already loaded with flavor, but if you want to build a full meal, here are some perfect pairings:
- Cornbread: Sweet and crumbly perfection.
- Mexican Rice: Double the comfort carbs.
- Guacamole: Cool, creamy, and just the right contrast to those spices.
- Black Beans: Simple, hearty, and budget-friendly.
- Margaritas: Because, well… obviously.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Totally! You can assemble the whole casserole (minus the cheese) a day ahead. Just cover it in the fridge and bake when ready!
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Absolutely! If using pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie), reduce the initial baking time by about 10 minutes.
This Chicken Fajita Casserole has become one of my go-to comfort meals—it’s warm, cheesy, packed with flavor, and ridiculously easy. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting friends, or just need something cozy for yourself, this dish always hits the spot.
Try it this week! And if you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you add your own twist? Leave a comment below—I’m always looking for new ideas!
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Healthy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked brown rice from about ¾ cup uncooked
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (about ½-inch thickness)
- 1 large bell pepper sliced
- 1 small onion sliced
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (I use fire-roasted), well drained
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp onion powder
- 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
FOR SERVING (OPTIONAL):
- Shredded lettuce salsa, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, or any of your favorite fajita toppings!
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F and greasing a casserole dish that measures 9x13 or holds 2 quarts.
- In a bowl thoroughly combine all the ingredients, excluding the cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish. Bake it uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Afterward sprinkle some cheese on top of the casserole. Continue baking for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Allow it to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Now you can savor your Healthy Chicken Fajita Casserole!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
