Chicken Fajita Casserole (Easy, Cheesy, & Keto-Friendly!)

Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Chicken Fajita Casserole. Imagine all the sizzling, savory flavors of your favorite fajitas packed into a single, easy-to-make dish. This recipe combines tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and onions, all enveloped in a rich, creamy, and cheesy sauce. It’s a guaranteed family-pleaser that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect solution for busy evenings when you’re craving something truly satisfying.

Why This Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe is a Must-Try

This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a game-changer for your meal plan. It’s incredibly simple to assemble, making it perfect for both seasoned cooks and kitchen beginners.

• Packed with Flavor: We use a bold blend of fajita seasonings that perfectly complements the chicken and veggies.
• Ultra Creamy & Cheesy: Cream cheese is the secret weapon here, creating a luscious sauce that beats plain cheese any day.
• Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: This recipe is naturally low in carbs, making it a fantastic option for anyone following a keto lifestyle without sacrificing taste.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: It’s just as delicious reheated, so you can easily prepare it ahead of time for lunches or dinners throughout the week.

The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Fajita Bake

The magic of this dish comes from using simple, fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this cheesy chicken fajita casserole to life.

For the Casserole

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Bell Peppers: A colorful mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers adds sweetness and visual appeal.
• Onion: A yellow or white onion provides a foundational aromatic flavor.
• Cream Cheese: The key to an ultra-creamy sauce. Use full-fat for the best results.
• Shredded Cheese: A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese offers the perfect meltiness and flavor.
• Fajita Seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought packet or our simple homemade blend below.
• Olive Oil: For sautéing the vegetables and chicken.

For the Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Making your own seasoning is easy and allows you to control the salt and spice levels. Simply mix these together:

• 2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Chicken Fajita Casserole

Follow these simple steps for a perfect casserole every time. This process is designed to be quick and straightforward.

1. Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until they are tender-crisp. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the Chicken: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
4. Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and fajita seasoning to the skillet with the chicken. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and coats the chicken, creating a creamy sauce.
5. Combine and Assemble: Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly into your prepared casserole dish.
6. Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Tips for the Best Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

A few simple tips can elevate your casserole from great to absolutely unforgettable.

• Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best gooey cheese pull, buy a block and shred it yourself.
• Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese melts better and creates a much richer, more flavorful sauce.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the chicken and vegetables, use a large enough skillet to ensure they sauté rather than steam. This helps develop better flavor.
• Let it Rest: After taking the casserole out of the oven, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up, making it easier to serve.

Fun Variations and Topping Ideas

While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it! It’s a wonderful base for one of your new favorite taco-style meals.

Variations

• Add Some Spice: Mix in a can of diced green chiles or some chopped jalapeños for an extra kick.
• Make it Heartier: Add a can of drained black beans or cooked rice to the mixture for a more substantial meal.
• Switch up the Protein: This recipe also works well with steak strips or shrimp.

Topping Suggestions

Serve your casserole with a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their plate.

• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
• Freshly Chopped Cilantro
• Guacamole or Diced Avocado
• Your favorite homemade salsa
• Pickled Jalapeños

What to Serve with Your Casserole

This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few side dishes. Consider serving it with cauliflower rice to keep it low-carb, or with traditional Spanish rice. A simple side salad or warm tortillas for scooping are also excellent choices. For another great weeknight option, try these easy chicken enchiladas.

Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Instructions

This dish is perfect for planning ahead. If you enjoy one-pan meals, this cheeseburger tater tot casserole is another fantastic option.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating

You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. To reheat the entire casserole, cover it with foil and bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Can I Make This Ahead?

Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, just bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time since it’s starting from cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

We Hope You Enjoy This Recipe!

This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a true crowd-pleaser that brings incredible flavor to your dinner table with minimal fuss. We are sure it will become a staple in your recipe collection. If you try it, please leave a comment below to let us know how you liked it. We love hearing from you! For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.

Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe

Chicken Fajita Casserole (Easy, Cheesy, & Keto-Friendly!)

This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful, low-carb dish packed with tender chicken, bell peppers, and onions in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. An easy and satisfying weeknight dinner that's perfect for the whole family and keto-friendly.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil divided
• 2 bell peppers sliced (a mix of colors)
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 packet fajita seasoning or 3 tablespoons homemade
• 2 cups shredded cheese blend Cheddar and Monterey Jack

Equipment

• 1 9x13 inch casserole dish
• 1 Large Skillet

Instructions

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat half the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until tender-crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and fajita seasoning to the chicken. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and creates a creamy sauce.
5. Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet and stir to combine.
6. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
7. Top with the shredded cheese blend and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving with your favorite toppings.

Notes

For the best melt, shred your own cheese from a block.
Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest, creamiest sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.