Description
A vibrant and hearty Chicken Fajita Casserole featuring tender chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, and onions seasoned with authentic fajita spices, combined with brown rice and topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese. This comforting dish is perfect for a family meal, offering a delicious blend of Tex-Mex flavors baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
Seasoning and Base
- 1 packet (1 oz) fajita seasoning
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly.
- Add Seasoning and Combine: Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken and vegetable mixture, stirring well to coat everything evenly. Add the drained diced tomatoes and the cooked brown rice to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the chicken fajita mixture from the skillet into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and starts to turn golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked white rice if preferred, but brown rice adds nuttiness and fiber.
- For a spicier dish, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the fajita seasoning.
- Leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by ensuring the fajita seasoning packet is gluten-free.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with a little lime juice before cooking.
