Category: CASSEROLE

Chicken Fajita Casserole is a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner that brings all the zesty Tex-Mex flavors together in a single dish. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual family meals.

With juicy chicken, sweet peppers, and melted cheese baked to perfection, this casserole captures the sizzling flavor of fajitas—no skillet required. It’s hearty, satisfying, and ready in under 40 minutes.

What You’ll Need for This Flavor-Packed Chicken Fajita Casserole

• Chicken breasts – The heart of the dish, they soak up seasoning and stay tender as they bake under the veggies and cheese.
• Fajita seasoning – A smoky, spicy blend that brings bold flavor to every bite and mimics classic fajita sizzle.
• Vegetable oil – Helps the seasoning coat the chicken evenly and keeps everything juicy during baking.
• Bell peppers – Sliced into colorful strips, they soften as they bake, adding natural sweetness and crunch.
• Yellow onion – Brings savory depth and mild sweetness, tying the vegetables together beautifully.
• Shredded cheese – Melts over everything to create a gooey, golden blanket of richness.
• Fresh cilantro – A bright, herbal garnish that adds color and freshness to finish the dish.

How to Make Chicken Fajita Casserole in a Flash

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. In a baking dish, coat the chicken breasts with fajita seasoning and oil—massage it in to ensure every inch is packed with flavor.

Layer sliced bell peppers and onions on top of the chicken, and sprinkle a little extra seasoning for good measure. Finish it off with a generous handful of shredded cheese over the top.

Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve hot with fresh cilantro scattered over the top.

Tips, Tricks, and Tempting Twists

To ensure your chicken stays juicy, avoid overbaking—an instant-read thermometer is your best friend here. If you’re pressed for time, cube the chicken to reduce cook time by several minutes without sacrificing flavor.

Want to lighten things up? Skip the cheese and opt for a crisp topping of parmesan and panko. For a heartier twist, stir in cooked pasta before baking, or serve over rice for a more traditional pairing.

Low-carb eaters can spoon this over cauliflower rice, while flavor seekers will love it paired with garlic butter noodles or Mexican rice. It’s endlessly customizable, making it a staple for every taste.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Fajita Casserole Like a Pro

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes to keep the texture of the veggies and cheese intact.

Microwaving is quicker and still tasty, though the peppers may soften more. This casserole doesn’t freeze particularly well due to the fresh vegetables, but it’s usually gone before you need to worry about that!

Chicken Fajita Casserole

A hearty and vibrant one-dish dinner, Chicken Fajita Casserole delivers the bold flavors of classic fajitas with minimal cleanup. Ready in just under 40 minutes, it’s a quick and satisfying option for a weeknight family meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
• 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
• 2 medium bell peppers sliced into strips
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 ½ pounds 680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
• Freshly chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the chicken breasts directly into a baking dish and coat them evenly with vegetable oil and fajita seasoning, massaging the mixture to ensure thorough coverage.
• Layer the sliced bell peppers and onion over the seasoned chicken. Lightly sprinkle additional fajita seasoning over the vegetables for enhanced flavor.
• Evenly distribute the shredded cheese on top of the mixture.
• Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by checking that its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a kitchen thermometer.
Any variety of melting cheese is suitable for this casserole.
For a lighter option, omit the cheese and instead top with a blend of Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, then mist with oil before baking.
To expedite cooking, dice the chicken into smaller cubes, which will reduce overall bake time.
This dish pairs well with garlic butter pasta, plain or Mexican-style rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
For leftovers, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–20 minutes or use the microwave for convenience.

John Wayne Casserole is a bold and comforting dish that combines seasoned beef, vegetables, and a biscuit crust in a truly satisfying bake. It’s hearty, flavorful, and layered to perfection.

Inspired by Tex-Mex flavors and rich with melted cheese, creamy sauce, and a hint of spice, John Wayne Casserole is a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner or potluck favorite.

Inside the Ingredients That Make John Wayne Casserole a Star

• Ground beef – The savory base of the casserole, richly seasoned and satisfying.
• Taco seasoning – Adds bold, zesty flavor that gives the beef its Tex-Mex flair.
• Large biscuits – Baked into a golden crust that cradles the casserole’s layers.
• Sour cream – Brings creamy tang that balances the spice and richness.
• Mayonnaise – Adds smoothness and body to the creamy layer for depth.
• Cheddar cheese – Sharp and melty, it weaves everything together beautifully.
• Onion – Offers sweetness and a hint of bite, used both fresh and sautéed.
• Tomatoes – Juicy slices bring brightness and a fresh contrast.
• Red bell pepper – Adds sweetness and color to balance the savory layers.
• Jalapeño peppers – Sliced and layered for just the right kick of heat.

How to Make John Wayne Casserole: A Delicious Layered Journey

Start by pressing the biscuits into a casserole dish to form the crust and baking it until lightly golden. While that bakes, brown your ground beef and season it with taco seasoning for a punch of flavor.

Next, stir together the sour cream, mayo, cheese, and onions to create a creamy layer that melts into the other ingredients. Sauté the remaining onions and bell pepper until just tender.

Layer the cooked biscuit crust with seasoned beef, fresh tomato slices, sautéed veggies, jalapeños, and the creamy cheese mixture. Finish with a generous sprinkle of cheddar on top, then bake until bubbling and golden.

Casserole Know-How: Tips and Tasty Twists

For extra heat, use fresh jalapeños or pepper jack cheese. Prefer it milder? Skip the peppers or use just a few. To make it extra hearty, add black beans or corn between layers.

Keep an eye on the crust during its first bake—it should be barely browned so it doesn’t overcook later. Using an oven thermometer helps keep things accurate, especially since ovens can vary more than expected.

Switch things up by using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. You can also experiment with different cheeses or add a handful of chopped green onions on top before serving for an extra pop of flavor.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover John Wayne Casserole

Let the casserole cool completely before covering it tightly with foil or transferring to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to four days and reheats beautifully in the oven at 350°F.

To freeze, slice portions and wrap them individually, then freeze for up to two months. Reheat straight from frozen at 375°F, covered with foil, until hot all the way through—usually about 25–30 minutes.

This dish holds its flavor and texture well, making it a great make-ahead or meal prep option.

John Wayne Casserole

This hearty and flavorful American-style casserole blends zesty taco-seasoned beef with a rich, creamy topping, layered over a soft biscuit base. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it brings a satisfying mix of textures and bold flavors.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 ounce packet taco seasoning prepared with water as directed
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded and divided
• 2 pounds ground beef browned and drained
• 4 ounces canned sliced jalapeño peppers
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 medium onion halved and sliced
• 16 ounce can large biscuits
• 2 medium tomatoes sliced
• 1 medium red bell pepper halved and sliced

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and adjust the rack to the center position. Lightly grease a 13×9-inch glass baking dish.
• Arrange biscuits in a single layer in the prepared dish, pressing them together and up the sides halfway. Set the dish on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, watching closely after 12 minutes. The edges should be barely golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
• While the biscuits bake, cook the ground beef with the taco seasoning and specified amount of water according to package instructions. Set the seasoned beef aside.
• In a clean bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, 4 ounces of cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced onion. Mix until smooth and set aside.
• Using the same skillet, sauté the remaining onion and red bell pepper until slightly softened.
• To assemble, layer the following over the baked biscuit base: seasoned beef, tomato slices, sautéed peppers and onions, jalapeño slices, then spread the sour cream mixture evenly on top. Finish with the remaining 4 ounces of shredded cheese.
• Bake the assembled casserole uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the biscuit crust is lightly golden around the edges.

Notes

Monitor your oven closely, as baking times may vary. A lightly browned crust indicates readiness.