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Creamy Chicken Fajita Cottage Cheese Bake (Easy 30-Min Recipe)

Creamy Chicken Fajita Cottage Cheese Bake - featured image
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A quick and easy 30-minute chicken fajita bake made with a secret ingredient—cottage cheese—for a creamy, high-protein, and utterly delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized strips
  • 1 cup (240g) full-fat cottage cheese
  • 3 medium bell peppers (mix of red, yellow, green), sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Blend cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until smooth (30-45 seconds). Set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and peppers; cook 4-5 minutes until softened and slightly charred. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Transfer veggies to a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chicken strips in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sprinkle with half the fajita seasoning and a pinch of salt. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, sautéed peppers and onions, remaining fajita seasoning, and blended cottage cheese. Stir until evenly coated.
  6. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread into an even layer. Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly on top.
  7. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice if desired.

Notes

Blending the cottage cheese creates a silky sauce. Use full-fat cottage cheese for best texture. Let the dish rest 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set. For meal prep, refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken fajita bake, cottage cheese bake, high protein dinner, easy weeknight meal, 30 minute recipe, creamy chicken fajita

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/creamy-chicken-fajita-cottage-cheese-bake-easy-30-min-recipe/