Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is an easy, flavor-packed dish featuring juicy chicken breasts smothered in sautéed bell peppers, onions, fajita seasoning, and gooey melted cheese. This oven-baked recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and pairs well with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad. With just one pan and a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal ready in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of Flavor – Classic fajita spices combined with melted cheese make this dish irresistible.
- Easy and Quick – Minimal prep and simple ingredients make it a great weeknight meal.
- One-Pan Meal – Everything bakes together in a single dish for easy cleanup.
- Versatile – Serve it over rice, in tacos, or alongside roasted vegetables.
- Keto-Friendly & Low-Carb – Perfect for those following a low-carb diet.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), sliced
- Onion, sliced
- Garlic (minced)
- Fajita seasoning
- Lime juice
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat Oven – Set to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Season the Chicken – Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, fajita seasoning, and lime juice.
- Sauté the Vegetables – In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sliced bell peppers, onion, and garlic for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Assemble the Dish – Place the seasoned chicken in the baking dish and top with the sautéed peppers and onions.
- Add Cheese – Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake – Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Garnish and Serve – Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite sides.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Version – Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Creamy Option – Mix in a little cream cheese or sour cream before baking.
- Tex-Mex Style – Top with black beans or corn before adding cheese.
- Low-Carb Alternative – Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
- Grilled Fajita Chicken – Grill the chicken instead of baking for a smoky flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs will be juicier but may require a slightly longer cooking time.
What type of cheese works best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend cheese all melt beautifully.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything in the baking dish and refrigerate until ready to bake.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Use a meat thermometer—chicken is fully cooked at 165°F (75°C).
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Cook on low for 4-5 hours, then add cheese and let it melt before serving.
What sides go well with this dish?
Rice, tortillas, avocado slices, or a fresh green salad pair perfectly.
How do I make it dairy-free?
Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Can I use store-bought fajita seasoning?
Absolutely! But you can also make your own with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
What’s the best way to serve this dish?
You can serve it over rice, inside tortillas for fajitas, or on top of a salad.
How can I add more flavor?
Marinate the chicken in lime juice and fajita seasoning for at least 30 minutes before baking.
Conclusion
Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken is a simple, delicious, and family-friendly meal that’s packed with Tex-Mex flavors. Whether you serve it with rice, inside tortillas, or as a low-carb meal, it’s a dish that’s sure to be a hit. Try different variations and enjoy this easy, cheesy, and flavorful dinner
Print
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Description
This cheesy baked fajita chicken is packed with bold Tex-Mex flavors, juicy chicken, sautéed peppers, and loads of melted cheese. A quick and easy dinner that’s both low-carb and incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning mix onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Sauté veggies: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté bell peppers and onions for about 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Assemble: Place the seasoned chicken in the baking dish. Top each breast with the sautéed peppers and onions.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish & serve: Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with rice, tortillas, or a side salad.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with lime juice for 30 minutes before baking.
- Add jalapeños for a spicy kick!
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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