Cheesy Chicken Fajita Bake

Step 1

Fill a large mixing bowl with warm water and salt to create brine. Using a spoon, stir to combine until most of salt is absorbed before adding chicken breasts to bowl. Set aside to brine while prepping other ingredients, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Arrange oven rack on middle rack, preheat oven to 450 degrees, and coat 9×13-inch baking pan with nonsticking cooking spray.

Step 3

Remove chicken breasts from brine, rinse with cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.

Step 4

In a small mixing bowl, mix all spices until well-combined.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken breasts, avocado oil, and about 3/4 of spices, keeping some for seasoning the peppers. Using tongs, toss together until chicken is coated in spices.

Step 6

Transfer chicken to prepared baking pan and spread cream cheese on top. Place peppers atop chicken. Sprinkle remaining spices on top. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella atop peppers.

Step 7

Transfer pan to oven to bake until chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 15-17 minutes. Move oven rack to highest rack, turn on oven broiler, and broil until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Step 8

Remove pan from oven, top with optional garnishes, and serve.