Chicken Fajita Casserole: A Tex-Mex One-Pan Wonder
If you love sizzling fajitas but want something easier, cheesier, and perfect for weeknights, this Chicken Fajita Casserole is your new go-to dinner. It takes all the bold Tex-Mex flavors you crave — seasoned chicken, colorful bell peppers, onions, and melty cheese — and transforms them into a simple one-pan chicken dinner that’s both comforting and incredibly satisfying.
This Tex-Mex casserole recipe skips the tortillas but keeps all the flavor. It’s creamy, cheesy, slightly smoky, and ready with minimal prep. Even better? It’s naturally low in carbs, making it a fantastic low carb chicken casserole option without sacrificing taste.
Let’s dive into this easy fajita bake that’s about to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Fajita Casserole
There are countless casserole recipes out there, but this one stands out because:
- It’s a true one-pan meal
- Packed with bold Tex-Mex spices
- Ready in under an hour
- Naturally gluten-free and low carb
- Perfect for meal prep
Instead of standing over a skillet flipping chicken strips, everything bakes together in one dish. The result? Juicy chicken infused with seasoning and tender roasted peppers wrapped in creamy, cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this flavorful chicken fajita casserole:
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet (or 2 tablespoons) fajita seasoning
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Season the Chicken
Place sliced chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with fajita seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Add Vegetables
Add sliced bell peppers and onion to the bowl. Toss everything together so the vegetables are coated in seasoning as well.
4. Make the Creamy Base
In a separate bowl, mix softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the Casserole
Spread the chicken and pepper mixture evenly in the baking dish. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the top and gently spread to cover.
6. Add Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack evenly over the casserole.
7. Bake
Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Broil for Golden Top (Optional)
For a slightly golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end — watch carefully to prevent burning.
9. Garnish and Serve
Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice before serving.
Chicken Fajita Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease baking dish.
- Season chicken with oil and spices.
- Toss in sliced peppers and onion.
- Spread mixture in baking dish and top with cream cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle cheeses evenly over top.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until chicken is cooked and cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Notes
The Secret to Perfect Texture
The key to this easy fajita bake is not overcooking the chicken. Slicing it evenly ensures quick, consistent cooking. Baking uncovered allows the peppers to roast slightly while the cheese melts beautifully.
If your chicken releases excess liquid, let the casserole rest briefly before serving — it will thicken naturally as it cools slightly.
Flavor Variations
This chicken fajita casserole is versatile and easy to customize:
Add Heat
- Diced jalapeños
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Pepper Jack cheese
Add More Texture
- Black beans
- Corn kernels
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies
Make It Extra Cheesy
Add a layer of queso-style cheese sauce before baking.
Serving Suggestions
While this dish is delicious on its own, you can serve it in multiple ways:
- Over cauliflower rice for a low carb chicken casserole meal
- Wrapped in warm tortillas
- With Spanish rice
- Topped with avocado slices
- Alongside a crisp green salad
It’s also fantastic for meal prep — just portion into containers and refrigerate.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F or microwave until heated through.
Why This Tex-Mex Casserole Works
The magic lies in layering flavors:
- Fajita seasoning provides smoky depth
- Cream cheese adds richness
- Peppers bring natural sweetness
- Two types of cheese create melt and flavor balance
Everything bakes together, allowing the flavors to meld into one cohesive, comforting dish.
Nutritional Highlights
This one pan chicken dinner is:
- High in protein
- Low in carbohydrates
- Naturally gluten-free
- Satisfying and filling
It’s indulgent without being overly heavy, making it perfect for weeknight comfort food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes! Simply reduce baking time to about 20 minutes since the chicken only needs to heat through.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cream cheese and shredded cheese alternatives.
What’s the best cheese combination?
Cheddar for sharpness and Monterey Jack for meltability create the ideal blend.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a Tex-Mex one-pan wonder that delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s creamy, cheesy, colorful, and incredibly satisfying.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or hosting a casual dinner, this Tex-Mex casserole recipe is guaranteed to impress.
Make it once, and it just might become your favorite easy fajita bake.
