Description
A flavorful Chicken Fajita Casserole combining tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers, creamy cheeses, and seasoned rice, baked to bubbly perfection. This easy, one-dish meal brings the bold flavors of fajitas in a comforting casserole ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 packet fajita seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
Dairy and Rice
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese softened
- 1 cup instant rice (Minute Rice)
- 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Season Chicken: In a large bowl, coat the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the fajita seasoning, tossing evenly to ensure full coverage.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the seasoned chicken pieces for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté diced red, green, yellow bell peppers and yellow onion for 5-6 minutes until slightly tender. Remove from heat.
- Mix Casserole Base: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Stir in chicken stock, instant rice, 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly; the mixture will be liquidy but will thicken during baking.
- Assemble: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour the mixture in, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set before serving. Enjoy your flavorful chicken fajita casserole!
Notes
- Use instant rice for quicker cooking and a tender texture; regular rice would require longer cooking time and more liquid.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños with the bell peppers during sautéing.
- If preferred, use low-fat sour cream and cream cheese to reduce fat content.
- Covering the casserole tightly during the first baking stage helps the rice cook properly in the steam.
- Allowing the casserole to rest before serving helps it to firm up for easier slicing and serving.
