Chicken Fajita Casserole – The BEST Quick Healthy Dinner!
Friends, this is the ULTIMATE healthy dinner recipe and one of the best chicken casseroles! Think chicken fajitas, but thrown together in a baking dish (or skillet) and topped off with cheesy goodness. If I could only make one meal for dinner for the rest of my life, this Chicken Fajita Casserole would most likely be it. It’s just THAT good.
This recipe is quick, easy, and full of flavor. It’s a great way to sneak in a few vegetables into an everyday dinner that tastes restaurant level delicious! It can also easily be made gluten-free. I’ve also added some tips below for saving even more time, making this recipe ahead, and ideas for storing your leftovers. Make this Chicken Fajita Casserole in just 30 minutes for the best meal ever!
RELATED: 100+ Quick Healthy Dinners (30 Minutes Or Less)
In This Post
Ingredients
Here are a few notes about what you’ll need for this easy weeknight recipe!
Avocado Oil – I always love using avocado oil in dinner recipes, but any type of cooking oil works great!
Fajita Vegetables – Sliced yellow onion and bell peppers are so delicious in this fajita casserole recipe. Feel free to use fresh, pre-cut, or frozen veggies!
Chicken – This recipe calls for chicken breast that’s cooked in the skillet. However, feel free to use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken instead (see notes below).
Tortillas – Whole wheat tortillas, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, gluten-free tortillas, or low-carb tortillas are all great options. You can also use cooked rice or cauliflower rice!
Tomato Sauce + Salsa – A mixture of tomato sauce and salsa add flavor and bring this casserole together.
Fajita Seasoning – The fajita seasoning is made up of smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. You can also use store-bought fajita seasoning or taco seasoning, too!
Beans – Cooked or canned black beans (or red beans) are so delicious and add tons of nutrients!
Spinach – I like to add spinach to this casserole recipe, as it adds tons of nutrients and cooks down perfectly. You won’t even know it’s there! However, you can always omit the spinach or chop it up before throwing it in the pan.
Cheese – Add as much cheese as you want! You can mix the cheese into the casserole or simply top it off for a delicious, cheesy, melty layer.
Toppings – Add fresh cilantro and crushed red pepper to really bring this recipe to life!
How to Make an Easy Chicken Fajita Casserole (30 Minutes)
Making a healthy Chicken Fajita Casserole is so easy! Here’s how to put this recipe together in just 30 minutes:
- Cook the fajita vegetables in an oven-safe skillet with oil, then set aside.
- Cook the chicken and garlic.
- Mix the sauce, salsa, and fajita seasoning together.
- Add half of the mixture in with the chicken and continue cooking.
- Add the fajita veggies back in along with beans, spinach, tortilla pieces, and the rest of the sauce mixture.
- Remove from heat, top with cheese and cilantro, and place in the oven.
- Bake until the cheese melts, then add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Time-Saving Tips
Want to save even more time making this Chicken Fajita Casserole? Here’s how!
- Use pre-cut or even frozen fajita veggies to save time!
- Make this casserole with rotisserie chicken (or leftover cooked chicken). Simply heat up the chicken in the pan (instead of cooking the chicken breast) and add in the sauce like you normally would until it’s warm! Then continue with the rest of the steps.
- Cut the tortilla up while other ingredients are cooking.
- Have your ingredients measured and ready to go in advance!
You’ll Also Love: Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Make Ahead Chicken Fajita Casserole
Make this Chicken Fajita Casserole recipe ahead of time for easy dinners on busy weeknights! To make ahead of time (or meal prep):
- Cook the vegetables, chicken, sauce mixture, beans, and spinach according to the recipe card directions.
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Mix in the whole wheat tortilla pieces.
- Transfer the casserole mixture into an oven-safe airtight container or airtight casserole dish.
- Top with shredded cheese and cilantro.
- Add the airtight lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When ready to eat, simply place it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes (or until the cheese melts and everything is warm)!
Another option is to heat it up in the microwave (if using meal prep containers instead). You can always just cook the entire recipe according to directions and then reheat throughout the week, too!
Storing This Recipe
This Chicken Fajita Casserole recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months!
To reheat, simply place it in the oven or microwave and heat up until everything is evenly warm.
How to Pair Chicken Fajita Casserole (Side Dish Ideas)
- Tortilla Chips & Salsa
- Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad
- Southwest Salad Dressing
- Spanish Rice & Beans
- Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing
- Easy Instant Pot Brown Rice
- Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad
More Healthy Dinners You’ll Love
- Baked Mahi Mahi Tacos
- The BEST Chicken Fajita Tacos
- Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
- Spinach & Mushroom Vegetarian Lasagna
- Taco Bowl Recipe
- Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!
Chicken Fajita Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Cast Iron Skillet or Oven-Safe Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil (divided)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion (sliced)
- 2 medium bell peppers (sliced)
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast (about 2 medium, sliced or cubed)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 medium whole wheat tortillas (cut into pieces)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup beans (cooked, drained)
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Heat up 1 Tablespoon of the avocado oil in an oven-safe skillet (such as cast iron) over medium-high heat.
- Cook the sliced onion and bell peppers in the oil for about 7-10 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- Heat up the remaining oil in the skillet and add in the sliced or cubed chicken.
- Add in the garlic and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the chicken is cooking, mix the tomato sauce, salsa, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour half of the sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked fajita veggies back in to the skillet.
- Stir in the black beans, tortilla pieces, and spinach.
- Add the remaining sauce mixture and stir.
- Remove the skillet from heat and top with cheese and cilantro.
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for another 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and everything is evenly warm.
- Remove from the oven, add crushed red pepper (optional), serve, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use pre-cut or even frozen fajita veggies to save time!
- Make this casserole with rotisserie chicken (or leftover cooked chicken). Simply heat up the chicken in the pan (instead of cooking the chicken breast) and add in the sauce like you normally would until it’s warm! Then continue with the rest of the steps.
- Cut the tortilla up while other ingredients are cooking.
- Have your ingredients measured and ready to go in advance!
- Cook the vegetables, chicken, sauce mixture, beans, and spinach according to the recipe card directions.
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Mix in the whole wheat tortilla pieces.
- Transfer the casserole mixture into an oven-safe airtight container.
- Top with shredded cheese and cilantro.
- Add the airtight lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When ready to eat, simply place it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes (or until the cheese melts and everything is warm)!
Nichole says:
I’m wondering if the nutrition info is for 1 serving?
Christine McMichael replied:
Hi Nichole! Yes, the nutrition is for 1 serving. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
LaKita says:
This chicken fajita casserole is so filling, flavorful, and delicious. It was so quick and easy to make, the whole family enjoyed it!
Hayley Dhanecha says:
This chicken fajita casserole looks absolutely amazing! I love how easy this recipe comes together.So colourful, healthy and perfect for a family to enjoy any day.
Loreto Nardelli says:
I love this casserole. Such an amzing east dish to do. I would love to fell my tortillas with this. So delicious looking. Mexican comfort food at its best!