Creamy Baked Fajita Chicken Recipe

Creamy Baked Fajita Chicken is a delightful twist on the classic fajita flavors, combining tender chicken breasts with the smoky, vibrant essence of sautéed peppers and onions, all enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of bold spices, creamy textures, and wholesome ingredients, making it an ideal meal for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Unlike traditional fajitas that are typically grilled and served on tortillas, this baked version simplifies the cooking process and introduces a luscious cream-based component that enhances every bite. The creamy sauce, often made from a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, or heavy cream, melds with the fajita seasoning and vegetables to create a comforting casserole-like dish that can be served with rice, tortillas, or even a fresh salad.

This recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving, allowing home cooks of all skill levels to achieve flavorful results without the need for complex preparation or multiple pans. It also lends itself well to make-ahead meal prep, reheating beautifully without sacrificing taste or texture.

In this guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the chicken, layer it with sautéed bell peppers and onions, and bake it to perfection. Along the way, you’ll discover tips for selecting the best ingredients, seasoning variations, and serving suggestions to make this dish uniquely your own.

Whether you’re craving a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing entrée for a weekend gathering, Creamy Baked Fajita Chicken offers a delicious, satisfying option that brings together the best of Tex-Mex flavors with the comfort of creamy baked goodness.

Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheating the oven ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and helps the creamy sauce meld perfectly with the chicken and vegetables.

Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and half of the fajita seasoning blend (chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano).

Sauté the Vegetables

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften but still retain some crunch. Add the minced garlic in the last minute of cooking to prevent burning.

Once cooked, transfer the sautéed vegetables to a bowl and set aside.

Brown the Chicken

In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed, and place the seasoned chicken breasts. Sear the chicken for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden crust. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage as it will finish baking in the oven.

Prepare the Creamy Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream (or Greek yogurt). Mix well until smooth. Add the remaining fajita seasoning blend and stir until fully incorporated. For an extra layer of flavor, you can also add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt.

Assemble the Dish

In a baking dish (around 9×13 inches works well), spread a thin layer of the creamy sauce on the bottom. Place the browned chicken breasts evenly spaced across the dish. Spoon the sautéed peppers and onions evenly over the chicken.

Finally, pour the remaining creamy sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, making sure everything is well coated. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.

Bake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

Garnish and Serve

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges if desired. This adds a fresh, zesty touch to the creamy, rich dish.

Serve your Creamy Baked Fajita Chicken with warm tortillas, steamed rice, or a simple side salad.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Baked Fajita Chicken

1. Choosing the Right Chicken

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the best choice here for even cooking and tenderness. If you prefer dark meat, boneless thighs work well too—they’re juicier but may need a slightly longer baking time.

• To ensure even cooking, try to use chicken breasts of similar size and thickness. You can also gently pound them to an even thickness for more consistent results.

2. Fajita Seasoning

• The seasoning blend is key to delivering authentic fajita flavor. If you don’t have a pre-made fajita seasoning, you can combine chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper as described earlier.

• Adjust the spice level by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder if you like heat.

3. Creamy Sauce Tips

• For a lighter version, swap out cream cheese and sour cream for Greek yogurt or light cream cheese. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

• To make the sauce smoother and easier to pour, you can warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before assembling.

4. Vegetables

• Bell peppers and onions are traditional, but you can add sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or even corn for extra texture and flavor.

• If you want softer veggies, sauté them a bit longer before assembling.

5. Baking Dish

• Use a shallow baking dish to ensure even cooking and browning.

• If you’re doubling the recipe, a larger dish or two separate dishes might be necessary to avoid overcrowding.

Variations on Creamy Baked Fajita Chicken

1. Spicy Jalapeño Version

Add thinly sliced jalapeños to the sautéed vegetables for a spicy kick. You can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes in the creamy sauce.

2. Cheese Variations

Try swapping cheddar for Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend for different flavor profiles. Adding a sprinkle of queso fresco after baking also adds a fresh, crumbly texture.

3. Low-Carb or Keto Option

Serve the chicken and creamy veggies over cauliflower rice or with a side of roasted broccoli to keep this dish low in carbs.

4. One-Pan Meal

Add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes to the sautéed vegetables to make this a full meal in one pan. Just be sure to par-cook the potatoes a bit before adding, as they take longer to soften.

Serving Suggestions

• With Tortillas: Warm flour or corn tortillas make it easy to turn this dish into fajita-style wraps. Just spoon the creamy chicken and veggies inside and add fresh toppings like avocado, salsa, or extra cilantro.

• Over Rice: Cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, or simple steamed white or brown rice are excellent bases for soaking up the creamy sauce.

• With Salad: A fresh green salad with lime vinaigrette or a simple tomato and cucumber salad complements the rich chicken perfectly.

• With Beans: Serve alongside refried beans or black beans for a complete Tex-Mex meal.