Chicken Fajitas Casserole (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken combined with peppers and cheeses creates a warm, flavorful, and easy-to-make casserole dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, shredded

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
04 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced

→ Dairy

05 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
06 - 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

→ Oils & Fats

07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Seasonings

08 - 1½ tablespoons fajita seasoning mix
09 - ¼ teaspoon salt
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
02 - Shred the cooked chicken breasts and place them in a large mixing bowl; set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add the green and red bell pepper strips and sliced onion. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender but still crisp.
04 - Remove skillet from heat. Transfer sautéed vegetables to the bowl containing shredded chicken and toss gently; set aside.
05 - In a separate large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, fajita seasoning mix, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
06 - Add the cream cheese mixture to the chicken and peppers bowl. Stir until all components are evenly combined.
07 - Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
08 - Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot throughout and cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and facilitate easier serving.
02 - Use softened cream cheese to ensure smooth consistency and avoid clumping.
03 - Avoid overcooking vegetables to maintain their crisp texture.