Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is everything you love about sizzling fajitas, transformed into an easy, oven-baked dinner with minimal prep. Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with classic fajita spices, baked with tender peppers and onions, and finished with a generous layer of melted cheese. The result is a dish that feels indulgent, colorful, and deeply satisfying.
What makes this recipe especially appealing is how effortless it is. There is no stovetop juggling or constant stirring, just simple layering and baking. I tested this dish on busy weeknights and found it delivers bold flavor with very little hands-on time. It pairs well with rice, tortillas, or even a simple salad, making it easy to turn into a complete meal. If you enjoy Tex-Mex–style flavors with plenty of cheese and comfort, this baked chicken recipe is one you will want to keep on rotation.
Print
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken – Bold, Melty, and Weeknight-Perfect
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Juicy baked chicken breasts smothered in colorful fajita vegetables and melted cheese, seasoned with bold fajita spices for an easy, flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Mexican-blend cheese
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Place chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Rub chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Top chicken evenly with sliced bell peppers and onion.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.
- Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or over cauliflower rice.
- Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
- Leftovers are great for wraps or salads.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Chicken breasts
Chicken breasts provide a lean, tender base and absorb the fajita seasoning beautifully as they bake.
Bell peppers
Bell peppers add sweetness, color, and classic fajita flavor. A mix of colors works especially well.
Onion
Onion adds savory depth and becomes soft and slightly sweet in the oven.
Fajita seasoning
Fajita seasoning delivers bold, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor with minimal effort.
Olive oil
Olive oil helps coat the vegetables and chicken evenly, promoting tenderness and flavor.
Cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese adds sharpness and melts beautifully over the chicken.
Mozzarella cheese
Mozzarella adds stretch and creaminess, balancing the sharper cheddar.
Salt
Salt enhances the flavors and should be adjusted carefully due to seasoned ingredients.
Black pepper
Black pepper adds mild warmth and balance.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 190°C and lightly grease a baking dish. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the dish and season both sides lightly with salt, black pepper, and fajita seasoning.
In a bowl, toss the sliced bell peppers and onion with olive oil and a small amount of fajita seasoning. Spread the vegetables evenly over and around the chicken.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is nearly cooked through. Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden and the chicken is fully cooked. Allow to rest briefly before serving.
Equipment needed
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results
Servings and timing
This recipe serves approximately 4 people. Preparation time is about 10 minutes, with a baking time of 40 to 45 minutes. Total time required is roughly 55 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. For best texture, avoid overheating to keep the chicken juicy.
Variations and Customizations
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is easy to adapt. For extra heat, sliced jalapeños or a pinch of chili flakes can be added to the vegetables. If you prefer a smoky flavor, a small amount of smoked paprika works very well.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier result. You can also change the cheese blend by using Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for added spice. For a lower-carb option, serve the chicken with cauliflower rice or sautéed vegetables instead of tortillas or grains.
This dish also works well as a filling. Leftovers can be sliced and tucked into wraps, tacos, or quesadillas for an easy next-day meal.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless thighs work very well and stay very juicy.
Is this dish spicy?
It is mildly spiced, but heat depends on the fajita seasoning used.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it can be assembled ahead and baked when ready.
How do I know the chicken is done?
The internal temperature should reach 75°C.
Can I add more vegetables?
Yes, mushrooms or zucchini are great additions.
What cheese melts best?
Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack all work well.
Can I freeze this dish?
Freezing is possible, though fresh texture is best.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, especially with mild seasoning.
What should I serve with it?
Rice, tortillas, or a simple salad pair nicely.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Dairy-free cheese alternatives can be used with adjusted flavor.
Conclusion
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is a bold, comforting dish that brings together juicy chicken, tender vegetables, and melty cheese in one easy bake. Perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners, it delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Simple, flexible, and deeply satisfying, this recipe proves that oven-baked meals can be just as exciting as skillet favorites.
Hungry for more? Visit our website for full recipes and follow us on Pinterest for daily foodie inspo you’ll love to pin!