Preheat Oven and Prepare Casserole:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
Combine Chicken Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, sour cream, chicken broth, diced tomatoes (including juices), sliced bell peppers, sliced yellow onion, and 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese.
Add the fajita seasoning and fresh cilantro to the mixture. Stir until everything is well combined and evenly coated with the seasoning.
Transfer to Baking Dish:
Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Top with Cheese and Breadcrumbs:
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded Mexican cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil or melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.
Bake the Casserole:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Serve:
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with additional chopped cilantro if desired.
Cook’s Notes:
You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for this recipe to save time.
Adjust the amount of fajita seasoning according to your taste preference and the spiciness level of the seasoning blend you’re using.
For added heat, consider adding chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
Variations:
Beef Fajita Casserole:
Substitute shredded cooked beef (such as flank steak or skirt steak) for the chicken.
Vegetarian Fajita Casserole:
Omit the chicken and add extra bell peppers, onions, and black beans or pinto beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Low-Carb Fajita Casserole:
Skip the breadcrumbs or use a low-carb alternative like crushed pork rinds or almond flour.
Spicy Fajita Casserole:
Increase the amount of fajita seasoning or add hot sauce to the chicken mixture for an extra kick of spice.
Cheesy Fajita Casserole:
Mix in additional shredded cheese into the chicken mixture for an even cheesier casserole.
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