Chicken Fajita Tray Bake

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast (Cut into strips)
• 2 cup mixed bell peppers (Sliced)
• 1 red onion (Sliced)
• jalapeño (Optional; sliced or prepared as desired)
• 1 tbsp lime juice (For the tray bake)
• 2 tbsp oil (For drizzling over the chicken and vegetables)
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• 1 tbsp cilantro (Chopped; for finishing)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For the fajita seasoning)
• 1 tsp onion powder (For the fajita seasoning)
• 1 tsp ground cumin (For the fajita seasoning)
• 1 tsp ground coriander (For the fajita seasoning)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika (For the fajita seasoning)
• salt (To taste; for the fajita seasoning)
• 1 tsp black pepper (Ground; for the fajita seasoning)
• 1 tsp red chili powder (For the fajita seasoning)
• 0.5 tsp sugar (For the fajita seasoning)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (For the creamy fajita sauce)
• 0.333 cup sour cream (For the creamy fajita sauce)
• 0.333 cup buttermilk (For the creamy fajita sauce)
• 1.5 tbsp fajita seasoning mix (Use 1–2 tsp in the sauce; this row reflects the lower amount. The seasoning mix is made above.)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder (For the creamy fajita sauce)
• 1 tbsp lime juice (For the creamy fajita sauce)
• salt (To taste; for the creamy fajita sauce)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. 2

   Arrange the sliced red onion, mixed bell peppers, optional jalapeño, and chicken strips in a baking tray. Avoid overcrowding the tray so the ingredients roast instead of steaming.

3. 3

   Sprinkle 1 1/2 tbsp of the fajita seasoning mix evenly over the chicken and vegetables.

4. 4

   Mix the chicken and vegetables thoroughly until they are nicely coated with the seasoning.

5. 5

   Drizzle the oil over the coated chicken and vegetables, then bake for 20 minutes.

6. 6

   Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese evenly over the top of the baked chicken and vegetables.

7. 7

   Return the tray to the oven and bake for 5 more minutes, until the cheese has melted. Optionally broil for 2–3 minutes for a lightly golden, bubbly top.

8. 8

   While the tray bakes, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, 1–2 tsp fajita seasoning mix, lime juice, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl.

9. 9

   Taste the creamy fajita sauce and adjust the lime juice or salt if necessary.

10. 10

    Remove the tray from the oven and sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the top.

11. 11

    Drizzle the creamy fajita sauce over the tray bake, or serve the sauce on the side.

12. 12

    Serve with warm tortillas for fajitas, over rice for fajita bowls, or as-is for a low-carb option.

Notes

The source does not specify how much of the prepared seasoning mix the full batch yields; it uses 1 1/2 tbsp for the tray and 1–2 tsp for the sauce. The sauce ingredient list and instructions both include salt to taste. If broiling, watch closely because the cheese can brown quickly.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pan
• baked
• Mexican-inspired
• chicken
• family dinner
• low-carb option