I am so excited to share this quick dinner idea for an Easy Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe. It is such a great way to serve chicken fajitas that I am almost 100% certain that this will be your new go-to fajita recipe. Casseroles have a way of making you feel like you are receiving a warm hug and this chicken fajita version is no exception. Made with all of the flavors you know and absolutely love, this casserole is even more special with a few extra fun ingredients.
Do you love easy casserole recipes? Try this Easy Doritos Ground Beef Casserole Recipe!
Why you are going to LOVE this Chicken Fajita Casserole
- The recipe is so EASY!
- It is made with SIMPLE INGREDIENTS.
- The LEFTOVERS are so darn good.
- It is a HEARTY casserole.
- Everyone will love the CHANGE to typical fajitas.
Ingredients Needed for your Fajita Casserole
- Cooked Chicken-This is a great place to use leftover chicken or even rotisserie.
- Olive Oil-Used to cook down the onion and peppers for an authentic flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper-Added for not only the beautiful color but also the mild pepper taste.
- Green Bell Pepper-A traditional ingredient that is cut into strips.
- Yellow Onion-I prefer a sweet onion but any kind of onion you have on hand or prefer will work wonderfully.
- Fajita Seasoning-A packet of fajita seasoning is the perfect amount of spice and makes the dish super easy.
- Cream Cheese-Added to give the dish a creamy texture.
- Shredded Cheese-A decadent fajita isn’t complete without shredded cheese, so pick your favorite.
- Cooked Rice-This is an optional ingredient. If you want to make the casserole a complete meal then add it but if you want it to be a little lighter it can be left out.
How to make Easy Fajita Casserole with Chicken
- Add the sliced onion to a large skillet with olive oil over medium high heat. Cook for a minute or two or until the onions are translucent.
- Add the sliced red and green peppers to the onions and continue to cook over medium high heat for a few minutes or until slightly softened.
- In a small bowl combine the softened cream cheese and fajita seasoning until they are combined. Add it, along with the shredded {or sliced} chicken and stir until combined.
- Then add the cooked rice and shredded cheese and stir until everything is evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into a prepared 9×13 baking pan. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven covered in foil for 20 minutes. Remove and serve.
4 Tips for the BEST Chicken Fajitas
- Don’t use uncooked chicken. The casserole doesn’t get baked for long, so it is important that everything is baked well before adding it to the casserole.
- Add more meat if you prefer. If you want the casserole to be more meat forward, then by all means…add more.
- Cut the meat into larger pieces for a chunkier recipe. I like to shred the chicken into small pieces but you can leave it in larger pieces for a heartier texture.
- Don’t skip cooking the peppers and onions in a skillet. This helps to give the casserole a good authentic flavor.
How to Serve Chicken Fajita Casserole
The first way that you can serve this Chicken Fajita Casserole is in a bowl with toppings. It truly is a meal in itself {especially with the addition of rice}. Some sour cream, cilantro, salsa and avocado slices are all wonderful on top.
You can also serve this Fajita Casserole with tortillas, just like you would traditional fajitas. Layout your favorite toppings and let everyone build their fajitas to their liking.
Recipe Substitution Ideas
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken. Chicken thighs tend to have a bit more flavor and stay moist longer.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the vegetable mixture for a nice added taste and texture.
- Use shredded pepper jack cheese for a great spicy flavor.
- Spice the casserole up by adding a can of diced green chilies to the mixture before baking.
- Use cooked pasta instead of rice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is fajita and taco seasoning the same?
They are much the same but also different. The truth is that they are not different enough to be worried about not substituting one for the other.
You could definitely use taco seasoning if that is all you have on hand but I would add some additional cumin and a bit of lime juice to get the fajita flavor.
How do I store Chicken Fajita Casserole?
The best way to store Chicken Fajita Casserole is in the refrigerator. Just be sure that it is covered well. It will keep nicely in there for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze this Fajita Casserole recipe?
Yes, you can freeze this Fajita Casserole recipe for up to 3 months. It will need to be well covered to get the best results. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
What is the best way to reheat Chicken Fajita Casserole with rice?
There are a couple of ways to reheat Chicken Fajita Casserole. First of all, if you are only needing to reheat a serving {or two}, I would reheat it in the microwave. Cover it with a damp paper towel {this will keep the casserole moist} and heat for a minute. If that isn’t enough time, add 25 second increments until warm enough for your liking.
If you need to reheat the entire casserole, pour a couple of tablespoons of chicken stock into the bottom of the dish {this will help keep the casserole from drying out}. Cover with foil and put in a 350 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Want to know what to serve with this Chicken Fajita Casserole? Try these easy recipes…
- Fiesta Wedge Salad
- No Bake Margarita Cheesecake Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn Skillet
- Easy Tres Leches Cake Recipe Made with a Cake Mix
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
- The Perfect Margarita
Easy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small red bell pepper {thinly sliced}
- 1 small green bell pepper {thinly sliced}
- 1 small yellow onion {thinly sliced}
- 8 ounces cream cheese {softened}
- 1.12 ounces fajita seasoning {1 packet}
- 1 pound cooked chicken {cut into strips or shredded}
- 8.5 ounces cooked rice {about 1 cup}
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- ¼ cup cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook for a minute or two or until translucent. Then add both the red and green bell peppers and continue to cook for a few minutes or until slightly softened.
- Add the shredded {or sliced} cooked chicken to the vegetables and stir to combine. In a small bowl combine the softened cream cheese and fajita seasoning. Add the mixture to the pan with the chicken and vegetables and stir until it is evenly distributed.
- Then add the cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese to the pan and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into your prepared 9x13 baking dish, top with remaining cheese and bake for 20 minutes uncovered.
- Remove from the oven and serve with tortillas, cilantro, salsa, lime wedges and avocado slices {if desired}.
Nutrition
Ashley Cleland says
We made this tonight! It was so easy and DELICIOUS! Thank you for the recipe!
June says
You are so welcome. I am so glad that you guys enjoyed it. 🙂
Chris David says
I loved this recipe so much . It’s really awesome
June says
I am so glad. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Sharon Harball says
Looking forward to enjoying this.
June says
I am so glad! 🙂