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Make a meal that’s full of bold, zesty flavors made with sizzling peppers, gooey cheese, and chicken breasts. This easy bake is low in carbs, high in protein (63 grams per serving), and it’s gluten-free.
Everyone in my family loves fajitas. I cannot explain to you how excited they get when it’s fajita time.
However, while it’s not a complicated dish to make, sometimes I don’t have enough time to make a batch of fajitas for my entire family.
When that happens, I turn to my chicken fajita bake. They get all the fajita’s flavor but without me having to spend hours in the kitchen cooking.
Each bite gives you juicy chicken, sweet bell peppers, and savory onions. But, it does get my special ingredient that regular fajitas don’t have … cheese.
Another reason why I love making this dish is that it’s high in protein. It gives you 63 grams of protein per serving, making it a high-protein option that is going to help you stay full for a long time.
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Pin ItAnd it gives you around 7 grams of net carbs, making it a perfect option for anyone following a keto meal plan.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, about 3–4 breasts (2 lbs) – Swap with boneless and skinless chicken thighs or firm tofu for a plant-based option.
Fajita seasoning (2 tbsp) – If you don’t have fajita seasoning, you can use taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or make a homemade option by mixing paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder.
Green bell pepper, sliced (1/2) – Replace with poblano peppers, Anaheim peppers, or zucchini slices.
Yellow bell pepper, sliced (1/2) – Substitute with orange bell pepper, banana peppers, or diced yellow squash.
Red bell pepper, sliced (1/2) – You can also use cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
Medium yellow onion, sliced (1) – Use white or red onions to have a different flavor.
Shredded mature cheddar cheese (2 cups) – Switch it out for Monterey Jack, Colby, or a dairy-free alternative.
GARNISH
Chopped fresh cilantro (1 tbsp) – If you don’t have or like cilantro, you can use parsley, chopped green onions, or fresh basil.
How to Make Chicken Fajita Bake
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375F. Place the chicken breasts on a chopping board and season them with the fajita seasoning.
Step 2. Place the chicken in a baking dish that’s large enough to layer the chicken without overlapping.
Step 3. Mix the bell peppers and onion in a bowl and then spread them on top of the chicken breasts.
Step 4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the bell peppers.
Step 5. Place the dish on the center rack of the oven and bake for 3-40 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 6. Once it’s cooked, remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped cilantro before you serve.
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Pin ItHow I Would Modify This Recipe
- Add more veggies: Try adding sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or diced tomatoes.
- For those spice lovers: Add a bit of chipotle powder or sliced jalapeños to add a bit of heat to the recipe.
- Make it low–fat: Use a reduced-fat cheddar cheese to bring down the fat content of the meal.
My Tips & Tricks
- Don’t crowd the pan: Make sure that the chicken breasts are in a single layer without overlapping. This is going to ensure they cook evenly and helps the seasoning stick to the chicken.
- Great your own cheese: Try not to use pre-shredded cheese since it often has anti-caking agents that stop it from melting smoothly. It’s better to grab a block of mature cheddar cheese and grate it yourself.
- Let it rest for a couple of minutes: Once you pull the dish out of the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes before you serve it. This is going to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken and keep it tender.
My Storage Tips
Allow any leftovers to cool down and place them in an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
To reheat it, place it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until the chicken warms through. But if you have a bit more time, I recommend using the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes.
Chicken Fajita Bake
Cals: 560 Protein: 63.4 Carbs: 9.6 Fat: 27.9
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts boneless, skinless, about 3–4 breasts
- 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
- 1/2 green bell pepper sliced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced
- 2 cups shredded mature cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish large enough so they sit in a single layer without overlapping. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Toss the sliced bell peppers and onion together in a separate bowl, then spread them evenly over the seasoned chicken.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the peppers and onions.
- Place the dish on the center rack of the oven and bake for 30–40 minutes. Until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve hot over your favorite side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
