Leftover chicken fajita casserole recipe
This leftover chicken fajita casserole has fast become a big hit in this way, with the kids for flavour and for me as it uses up things in the fridge that we may not have used up, a great way to save on wastage and save some money.
It is such an easy chicken fajita casserole recipe, that it becomes the perfect midweek meal when we all have a busy night. It is also a firm favourite with picky eaters too as let’s face it, everyone loves tasty Mexican food. I was finding though that we were often eating traditional fajitas or tacos, so a different dish for busy weeknights is always a welcome change.
This easy recipe is perfect for busy households who just want to enjoy a delicious dinner after a busy day. The meal prep for this dish is next to nothing, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the evening.
One of the best things about this recipe is the sauce. With the tomatoes and cream cheese in the dish, it will all cook and melt to give you a delicious creamy sauce with gooey cheese! Let’s get on with the recipe.
Leftover chicken fajita casserole recipe
Ingredients
- 500g Leftover chicken (use any chicken you have, this could be leftover rotisserie chicken from a roast or if it is like us, I cooked up some chicken for this dish).
- 2 Bell peppers thinly sliced (this can be red bell peppers or green bell peppers, whatever you have).
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced.
- 1 Tin of chopped tomatoes.
- 3 Tbs Cream cheese.
- 150g Cheddar cheese.
- 2 Tbs Fajita seasoning mix (this can be shop brought mix or homemade fajita seasoning).
- Handful of chopped jalapenos (this is down to your flavour preference).
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to gas mark 6.
- In a large casserole dish, pop all the ingredients in apart from 100g cheddar cheese.
- Give it a good mix to ensure that it is all evenly coated.
- Top with the remaining 100g and pop into the preheated oven.
- Cook for 20 minutes or until the top is coated in melted cheese.
- Serve with your side of choice and enjoy.
Recipe substitute ideas
Sometimes you may not be able to get hold of some of the ingredients listed above, so here are some suggestions for some substitutions that wont have a huge impact:
- Chicken – If you do not have any leftover chicken and can not get chicken breast, try boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
- Peppers – Although I said green peppers and red peppers, you can use any sliced bell peppers you can get hold of.
- Cheese – Try switching out mature cheddar cheese for Monterey jack cheese or Gouda cheese.
If you would like to download this printable recipe card you can do so here.
Leftover chicken fajita casserole recipe
Ingredients
- 500g Leftover chicken (use any chicken you have, this could be leftover rotisserie chicken from a roast or if it is like us, I cooked up some chicken for this dish).
- 2 Bell peppers thinly sliced (this can be red bell peppers or green bell peppers, whatever you have).
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced.
- 1 Tin of chopped tomatoes.
- 3 Tbs Cream cheese.
- 150g Cheddar cheese.
- 2 Tbs Fajita seasoning mix (this can be shop brought mix or homemade fajita seasoning).
- Handful of chopped jalapenos (this is down to your flavour preference).
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to gas mark 6.
- In a large casserole dish, pop all the ingredients in apart from 100g cheddar cheese.
- Give it a good mix to ensure that it is all evenly coated.
- Top with the remaining 100g and pop into the oven.
- Cook for 20 minutes or until the top is coated in melted cheese.
- Serve with your side of choice and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions for your leftover chicken fajita casserole
This recipe lends itself to many different sides, with so many great options, it is a case of picking what you fancy or what you have in your house.
I served ours with tortilla chips as the texture was a great addition, however, it would be just as tasty with rice or tortillas!
- White rice or brown rice – Simple but something most of us have in the cupboard. I find that rice is one of the staples in our cupboard.
- Cauliflower rice – If you are after something a little healthier, then switch out the white rice for cauliflower rice.
- Flour tortillas – Make your own little fajitas or enchiladas with the casserole.
- Tortilla chips – My personal preference, I just love the texture that it brings to the dish.
- Corn tortillas – This chicken fajita casserole makes the perfect replacement for the usual taco filling. Serve with a little salad and sour cream and you are on a winner.
- A dollop of sour cream and salsa – I love sour cream, I have it with all my Mexican dishes!
- Refried beans – For those looking for something a little different.
How to store leftover fajita chicken casserole
If you have used fresh chicken to make this, then it is ok to reheat the next day or two, however, if you have used up leftover chicken it can not be reheated again.
Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container and make sure that when you heat through, the chicken is piping hot.
Can this be cooked on the hob?
Although I have cooked this dish in the oven if you do not have a casserole dish or want to use your hob.
In a large pan or large skillet, cook the onions and peppers for 5 minutes in a little hot olive oil, then add in the chicken and warm through for a few minutes. Then add in all the remaining ingredients apart from 100g of the cheese, this can be sprinkled over the top at the end of the cooking. Cook for a further 10 minutes until cooked through and then serve.
We are on a little mission to reduce food waste in this house and share recipes that make the most of what we have, without breaking the bank. At the same time though, we have a busy family life between work, school and everything else that goes with it. So the next time you are looking for a meal that your entire family will enjoy but an easy dinner to give you a break, check out what meals we have shared on the site.
If you have enjoyed this dish, check out these other great recipes.
Comforting cottage pie for the whole family
Slow cooker beef stew and dumplings
Quick and Easy Leftover Chicken Curry recipe
