Easy Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken Recipe That Sizzles With Flavor

My weeknight dinner game completely changed when I discovered this magical cheesy baked fajita chicken that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Colorful bell peppers and tender chicken breasts create a mouthwatering combination you’ll devour.

Zesty spices meld perfectly with melted cheese, promising a meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of smoky, spicy, and creamy notes that dance across your palate.

Minimal prep means you can have a restaurant-worthy dish on the table in under an hour.

Juicy chicken nestled beneath a blanket of cheese will make you feel like a culinary rock star.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken That Satisfies

• Rescue Weeknight Dinners: Tackle busy evenings with this super simple one-pan chicken recipe that delivers maximum flavor without complicated steps.
• Customize Like a Pro: Swap out peppers, adjust seasoning, or add different cheeses to match your taste preferences and make this dish uniquely yours.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with colorful vegetables and cheesy goodness, this meal appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys dinner together.
• Nutrition in Every Bite: Combines lean protein from chicken, vitamins from bell peppers, and calcium from cheese, creating a balanced meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients To Make Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: The star protein that provides a tender and juicy base for this flavorful fajita dish.

• Red Bell Peppers, Green Bell Peppers, Onion: Colorful vegetables that add sweetness, crunch, and a vibrant mix of flavors to the dish.

• Fajita Seasoning: A classic spice blend that brings authentic Mexican-inspired flavor to the chicken and vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Helps to coat the chicken and vegetables, ensuring even seasoning and preventing dryness.

• Mexican Cheese Blend: Adds a creamy, melty topping that brings richness and additional flavor to the dish.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Provides a bright, citrusy accent that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
• Cilantro: A fresh herb that adds a pop of color and a classic Mexican-inspired flavor profile.

• Tortillas: Warm tortillas can be served alongside for wrapping or dipping.
• Rice: A classic side that complements the fajita chicken.
• Green Salad: A fresh and light accompaniment to balance the dish.

Step-By-Step Guide To Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Get your oven warmed up to a toasty 375F (190C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil or line it with parchment paper for super easy cleanup.

Step 2: Spice Up the Chicken

Lay out your chicken breasts in the baking dish. Drizzle olive oil all over, making sure to coat both sides.

Sprinkle fajita seasoning generously, creating a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Veggie Preparation Party

Chop up your colorful bell peppers and onions.

Toss them in a bowl with olive oil and a dash of extra fajita seasoning. Spread these vibrant veggies around and on top of the chicken, creating a beautiful landscape of flavor.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. Let it bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (74C).

Step 5: Cheese Blanket Magic

Pull out the dish and unveil a cheesy surprise. Sprinkle a generous layer of Mexican cheese blend over the chicken and vegetables.

Pop it back in the oven uncovered for 5-7 minutes until the cheese turns into a melty, golden wonderland.

Step 6: Final Flavor Flourish

Let the dish rest for a quick 5 minutes to let all those amazing flavors settle.

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and scatter some chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness. Serve alongside warm tortillas, fluffy rice, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips To Perfect Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165F for safe, juicy results.
• Roast bell peppers and onions separately first to caramelize edges and intensify their natural sweetness.
• Grate cheese fresh for better melting and more authentic texture compared to pre-shredded options.
• Replace tortillas with lettuce wraps or serve over cauliflower rice for a lighter meal option.
• Prepare entire dish in advance and refrigerate; bake when ready to enjoy fresh, hot fajita chicken.

Variations To Switch Up Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken

• Mexican Zucchini Swap: Replace bell peppers with sliced zucchini for a lower-carb vegetable option that adds fresh garden flavor to the dish.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Dice fresh jalapeños and mix with vegetables for an extra hot version that brings intense southwestern heat to the chicken.
• Protein Power Bowl: Skip the tortillas and serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa for a protein-packed, low-carb meal that maintains the fajita flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Transformation: Substitute fajita seasoning with oregano, garlic powder, and lemon zest, then top with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired chicken bake.

Pairing Ideas To Serve With Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken

Pair this zesty fajita chicken with a classic margarita for an explosion of complementary flavors that dance on your palate.

Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance the dish’s spicy and cheesy notes with its refreshing acidity.

Grab a cold Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to cut through the richness and enhance the fajita’s bold southwestern profile.

Serve alongside cilantro lime rice to echo the fresh garnish and provide a perfect starchy backdrop for the cheesy chicken.

Storage Tricks for Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes, or until heated completely. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain juiciness.

FAQs

• Is fajita seasoning store-bought or homemade?

Fajita seasoning can be either store-bought or homemade. Most grocery stores sell pre-mixed packets, but you can also create your own blend using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

• Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs or chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts. Just adjust cooking time based on the cut’s thickness to ensure proper internal temperature.

• What cheese works best if I don't have Mexican blend?

Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination of both are excellent alternatives to Mexican cheese blend. These cheeses melt well and provide a similar flavor profile.

Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken brings sizzling flavors straight from authentic kitchens to your dinner table. Melted cheese, zesty peppers, and juicy chicken create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 3 tablespoons (tbsp) olive oil
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 lime, juiced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Sour cream (for serving)
• Guacamole (for serving)
• Salsa (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by preheating the oven to 375F (190C) and lining a 9×13-inch dish with parchment paper or a light grease coating.
2. Position chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, drizzling olive oil and generously coating both sides with fajita seasoning.
3. Create a vibrant vegetable medley by combining sliced bell peppers and onions with olive oil, optionally enhancing with additional fajita seasoning.
4. Distribute the seasoned vegetables around and atop the chicken breasts, ensuring even coverage.
5. Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil and roast for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (74C).
6. Unveil the dish and lavishly sprinkle Mexican cheese blend over the chicken and vegetables.
7. Return to the oven, baking uncovered for 5-7 minutes until cheese transforms into a melted, golden blanket.
8. Allow the dish to rest and settle for 5 minutes, concentrating flavors and ensuring optimal serving temperature.
9. Elevate the final presentation by drizzling fresh lime juice and scattering chopped cilantro for a bright, zesty finish.
10. Serve alongside warm tortillas, fluffy rice, or a crisp green salad for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are of uniform thickness to promote even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken’s internal temperature, guaranteeing food safety and perfectly cooked protein.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help fajita spices adhere better and create a more flavorful crust.
• Slice vegetables uniformly for consistent roasting and preventing some pieces from becoming too soft or undercooked.
• For a low-carb version, replace tortillas with lettuce wraps or serve over cauliflower rice.
• Reduce cheese amount or use dairy-free alternatives to make the dish lighter or accommodate lactose-intolerant diets.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg