Description
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers and onions, zesty fajita seasoning, and two kinds of melted cheese, all layered over nutritious brown rice and baked to perfection. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 1 packet (1 oz) fajita seasoning
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook them for 5-7 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Mix Seasoning and Ingredients: Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Then add the drained diced tomatoes and cooked brown rice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then transfer the chicken fajita mixture into it, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Evenly spread the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top of the chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños along with the bell peppers.
- Use white rice if preferred, but brown rice adds more fiber and nutrients.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese or reduce the cheese quantity.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the fajita seasoning packet is gluten-free or use homemade seasoning.
