Description

This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a delicious and hearty one-dish meal combining tender sautéed chicken, colorful bell peppers, and onions with creamy sour cream and zesty salsa, all layered with fluffy rice and melted cheese. Perfect for an easy family dinner, it brings the vibrant flavors of fajitas into a comforting baked casserole.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

1 pound chicken, thinly sliced
2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fajita seasoning

Rice Mixture

3 cups cooked white rice
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa

Topping

2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to prepare for baking the casserole evenly and thoroughly.
Combine chicken and veggies: In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced chicken, bell peppers, and red onion with olive oil and fajita seasoning until everything is coated well.
Sauté the mixture: Heat a large skillet over high heat and cook the chicken and vegetable mixture for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and the vegetables begin to soften. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Mix the rice base: In another large bowl, combine the cooked white rice with sour cream and salsa until evenly mixed. Then add the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture and fold until everything is well combined.
Assemble and bake: Pour the entire mixture into a 13×9 inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Optionally, add your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, or diced avocado for extra flavor.

Notes

You can swap the white rice for brown rice or cauliflower rice for a healthier or low-carb option.
Use a mix of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese for richer flavor and meltiness.
To make this dish spicier, incorporate jalapeños or a spicier salsa.
This casserole stores well for leftovers and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
For a creamier texture, add an extra 1/4 cup of sour cream to the rice mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Keywords: chicken fajita casserole, fajita casserole, baked chicken fajitas, easy casserole recipe, Mexican casserole, cheesy chicken casserole