If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that explodes with flavor, vibrant color, and melty cheese, look no further than Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken. This irresistible dish piles seasoned chicken, sweet peppers, and gooey cheese into one easy pan, making it just as perfect for impressing guests as it is for a regular family meal. You’ll get everything you crave in classic fajitas—spice, tenderness, and that signature sizzle—in a comforting, cheesy bake that’s practically effortless to pull together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is all about choosing simple, fresh ingredients that really shine together. Each element plays its part, creating layers of taste and texture in every forkful.
- Chicken breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for lean, tender protein that soaks up all the flavors of your seasoning.
- Olive oil: This helps your seasoning stick and gives the chicken a gorgeous golden finish as it bakes.
- Fajita seasoning mix: A handy packet brings all the spices—think chili, cumin, garlic, and more—for that bold, classic fajita flavor.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a magical sweetness and a pop of rich color to your dish.
- Green bell pepper: Slightly peppery and bright, green bell pepper balances out the sweetness of the red.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced, it softens and caramelizes in the oven, adding mellow, savory notes.
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar: The cheesy crown! It melts into a bubbly, golden blanket over the chicken and veggies.
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional): A fresh herbal burst that finishes the dish on a bright note.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Keeps everything from sticking to the pan, making both baking and clean-up a breeze.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s perfectly hot when it’s time to bake. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. This will keep your chicken and veggies from sticking, making serving (and cleaning!) a total cinch.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Pat your chicken breasts dry, then rub them all over with olive oil. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning mix generously, turning to coat each breast on all sides. The oil helps the spices adhere and ensures you get that deliciously savory crust baked right in.
Step 3: Assemble the Pan
Place your seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Now, scatter the thinly sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and red onion around and over the chicken. Nestling the vegetables right up against the meat means every bite will be infused with those classic fajita flavors.
Step 4: Bake Covered
Cover your baking dish snugly with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. Let it bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is just about cooked through. Covering keeps everything juicy and helps the veggies soften nicely.
Step 5: Add the Cheese Magic
Now for the best part! Remove the foil and sprinkle the cheese—Mexican blend or cheddar—lavishly over the chicken and veggies. Place the dish back in the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 minutes. You’re aiming for melted, bubbly, golden cheese and an internal chicken temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 6: Add Finishing Touches and Serve
Once your Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is out of the oven, let it rest a minute, then shower with chopped fresh cilantro if you like. Serve up each portion piping hot—get ready for oohs, aahs, and possibly second helpings!
How to Serve Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken
Garnishes
Nothing says “fiesta” like a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or even a dash of extra fajita seasoning right before serving. You can also add fresh lime wedges for an extra zesty pop that each diner can squeeze just before diving in. Even a dollop of sour cream or homemade guacamole on the side brings a luscious, creamy finish.
Side Dishes
Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is perfectly happy sitting atop fluffy white or brown rice, but it’s just as wonderful tucked inside warm flour or corn tortillas for a fajita-inspired feast. For a lighter spin, serve it on a bed of crisp salad greens or with cilantro-lime cauliflower rice. Refried beans, black beans, or a quick corn salad round out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get playful, slice the chicken and arrange it along with the veggies and cheese inside grilled tortillas for gooey fajita quesadillas. Or, chop everything up and pile it onto a bed of crisp romaine for a hearty Mexican-style salad. You can even load leftovers into a baked potato for a satisfying lunch the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which isn’t always likely!), simply let your Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken cool to room temperature. Store the chicken, veggies, and cheesy topping in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s just as delightful rewarmed as it is fresh out of the oven!
Freezing
Planning ahead? You can freeze this dish! Once fully cooled, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or pop them into a freezer-safe container. Your Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken will keep its flavor and texture in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, let it thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating
For the tastiest leftovers, reheat your Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until everything’s warmed through and the cheese is melty again, about 15–20 minutes. In a pinch, the microwave works too—just use gentle, 50% power to keep that chicken juicy and tender, and the cheese perfectly gooey.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and just as flavorful. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if using bone-in thighs, as they may need a few more minutes to reach 165°F (74°C).
What’s the best cheese for Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken?
You can’t go wrong with a Mexican blend for that stretchy melt, but sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack all work beautifully. Try mixing your favorites for an extra layer of flavor!
Can I add extra vegetables?
Definitely! Sliced zucchini, mushrooms, or even a handful of cherry tomatoes are delicious additions. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces so they bake evenly alongside the chicken.
Is Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken gluten-free?
Yes, as long as your fajita seasoning mix is gluten-free (most are, but it’s always worth a check). The rest of the ingredients naturally fit a gluten-free diet.
Can I prep Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble everything up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate for up to a day. Slide it into the oven when you’re ready, and simply add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time if needed.
Final Thoughts
Packed with flavor, color, and melty cheese, Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is truly a crowd-pleaser that’s as simple to make as it is to love. I can’t wait for you to try this cozy, crave-worthy meal—it just might become your new weeknight favorite!
Print
Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken breasts with flavorful fajita seasoning, colorful bell peppers, onions, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or to impress guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet (1 oz) fajita seasoning mix
Veggies:
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Additional:
- 1½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Chicken: Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and fajita seasoning. Place in the baking dish.
- Add Veggies: Scatter sliced peppers and onions around the chicken.
- Bake Covered: Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes until chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Add Cheese: Uncover, sprinkle cheese over chicken and veggies. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve over rice, with tortillas, or on top of a salad.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or swap in other veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.
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