Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Fajita Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines shredded chicken, instant rice, a creamy blend of sour cream and cream of chicken soup, and a spicy fajita seasoning mix. Topped with melted Mexican blend cheese and baked to perfection, it’s an easy one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 2 large breasts)
- 2 cups instant rice
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup frozen diced onion and bell pepper blend
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with chilies (undrained; like Rotel)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (1.12-ounce) packet fajita seasoning (preferably McCormick)
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded Mexican blend cheese (about 2 cups), divided
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the shredded cooked chicken, uncooked instant rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen diced onion and bell pepper blend, undrained diced tomatoes with chilies, chicken broth, fajita seasoning, and about half of the shredded Mexican blend cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and ensure even cooking.
- Bake Until Rice is Tender: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the casserole is heated through.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Melt: Remove the foil carefully, sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, then return the dish to the oven uncovered. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Use instant rice for faster cooking; regular rice would require longer bake time and more liquid adjustments.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time on shredding chicken yourself.
- For added freshness, garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or fresh lime wedges before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, consider adding extra chili powder or cayenne pepper to the fajita seasoning.
Keywords: chicken casserole, fajita casserole, baked chicken recipe, instant rice casserole, Tex-Mex chicken dish, easy dinner casserole