Description
Mexican-inspired fajita chicken breasts casserole delivers a zesty blend of spices and textures that excite home cooks. Sizzling peppers, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a complete meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- ¼ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 tbsps fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with olive oil and a robust blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Vegetable Sauté: In a skillet over medium-high heat, quickly sauté bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Assembly: Arrange seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish, generously top with caramelized vegetables, creating a colorful foundation.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk together sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, chicken broth, lime juice, taco seasoning, and red pepper flakes until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Layering: Pour the creamy sauce evenly over chicken and vegetables, ensuring complete coverage, then sprinkle an additional layer of shredded cheese on top.
- Baking: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165F (75C) and cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Finishing: Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh cilantro and jalapeño slices.
- Serving: Plate alongside rice, tortillas, or a crisp salad for a complete, flavor-packed meal.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Texture: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure crisp, even browning and prevent soggy results.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust taco seasoning and red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference; start with less and gradually increase for balanced flavor.
- Prevent Cheese Burning: Cover casserole with foil during last 10 minutes of baking if cheese browns too quickly, maintaining perfect golden-melted consistency.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap full-fat dairy with low-fat alternatives and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for lighter, protein-rich version without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg