Fajita week here on the blog continues! Earlier this week I shared homemade fajita seasoning, which I promise is crazy easy to make. You measure, mix and done! So of course I had to follow that up today with our favorite quick and easy chicken fajitas. They are also super simple to make — just 5 ingredients, including the oil — and ready in about 20-25 minutes. Weeknight chicken dinners never looked so good! (You can also check out sheet pan chicken fajitas and Instant Pot fajitas and crock pot fajitas if you need a really hands-off meal. Or try this fajita chicken pasta for a different twist all together!)
This chicken fajita recipe has thin slices of chicken (boneless, skinless chicken breasts to be specific) plus onions and bell peppers that are all cooked until tender and lightly charred. Then they are ready to stuff in your warm fajita shells. Add all your favorite toppings and dig in! (I have tons of ideas for toppings down below, so keep reading.) Seriously, does it get much better than fajita night at home?! We may not have the sizzling skillets like the restaurant, but we can definitely match those flavors! Even my young kids go crazy for these fajitas. My daughter, who just loves to know what her next three meals are going to be, gets so excited when I tell her fajitas are on the menu. I know, I’m right there with you kid.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Notes on easy chicken fajitas:
Be sure to slice your chicken thin enough. (I didn’t in these photos; it’s kind-of a do as I say, not as you see here. ) You’ll want them to be small and easy to bite into when you stuff them into your tortillas. Similarly, make sure your onions and peppers are about the same size so they cook evenly. Using a variety of different colored bell peppers adds some great flavor and color interest. When possible, it’s nice to have some green, yellow, red and orange in there, but you only need two bell peppers worth for the recipe. So it’s definitely OK to buy one red and one yellow, for instance, and stop there. (Or get a bag of the mini sweet peppers and use some of those.) As mentioned, we love homemade fajita seasoning, but you can certainly use a store-bought mix.
Disclaimer: I think it’s important to cook the chicken and veggies separately so they all get cooked through, lightly charred, and perfectly delicious. If you cram everything into one pan to try and cook it all together, it will steam and not be nearly as tasty. In a hurry though? I feel you. Here’s what I do sometimes: Have two large sauté pans going at once on the stove: one for chicken, one for the onion and peppers. They’ll cook in about the same time and then you can toss them together before serving - or just serve straight from the separate pans. You know I’ve always got you covered in the “how do I make this even faster and easier?” department.
One of my favorite parts of just about any meal is the opportunity for toppings. Gimme all the toppings. So I wanted to share the love.
Topping ideas for chicken fajitas:
Shredded lettuce Diced avocado or guacamole Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese Salsa or pico de gallo Sour cream or Greek yogurt Pickled red onions Pickled jalapeños Fresh chopped cilantro Lime wedges
Ah, so many options! Everyone can fix theirs just like they want.
And now we just need to bring this dinner home.
What to serve with chicken fajitas?
- Chicken fajitas, when served with warmed tortillas and plenty of toppings, make a great all-in-one meal.
- You can also serve them with steamed rice and black beans to make a more hearty fajita or to have rice and beans as a side.
- Mexican coleslaw would be amazing as a side dish with this, as would just a simple green salad for something light and fresh. Flour tortillas are perfect for fajitas, and you can use regular, whole wheat or a gluten-free version of tortillas. They come in a variety of sizes, so pick your favorites, being sure you will have enough room to add all your fajita fixings. And if you’ve wondered about the best way to warm tortillas, I’ll share our favorite method.
How to warm tortillas:
- If you have a gas burner, you can place a soft flour tortilla, one at a time, directly over the flame. Leave it for 5-10 seconds, until lightly charred, then flip and do the same on the other side. Again, just 5-10 seconds is all you need to get it browned and bubbled up slightly.
- If you have an electric stove, you can broil your tortillas in the oven as an alternative. Just keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn.
- Or of course, you can wrap the tortillas in some damp paper towels and warm them in the microwave too. Last but not least, let’s talk leftovers. No need to throw them out, they will reheat great and you can make the extras into something new if you like.
How to store leftover chicken fajitas:
- The leftover fajita chicken and peppers and onions can be stored, once cooled, in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet to warm them back up.
How to use leftover chicken fajitas:
- You can of course make more fajitas another night or for lunch.
- Or use the fajitas for a grain bowl or rice bowl along with some beans, veggies and more of your favorite toppings.
- You can also mix your warmed, leftover fajitas into some hot cooked pasta, mix with some salsa and shredded cheese and you’ve got a fajita pasta dish that tastes delicious!
And there you have it. Fajita night done right. I hope you give these easy chicken fajitas a try soon. Enjoy! XO, Kathryn P.S. Stay tuned because I have some more delicious ways to make fajitas coming up soon for you. You can sign up for free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!
Be sure to slice your chicken thin enough. (I didn’t in these photos; it’s kind-of a do as I say, not as you see here.) You’ll want them to be small and easy to bite into when you stuff them int your tortillas. Similarly, make sure your onions and peppers are about the same size so they cook evenly. Using a variety of different colored bell peppers adds some great flavor and color interest. When possible, it’s nice to have some green, yellow, red and orange in there, but you only need two bell peppers worth for the recipe. So it’s definitely OK to buy one red and one yellow, for instance, and stop there. We love homemade fajita seasoning, but you can certainly use a store-bought mix. It’s important to cook the chicken and veggies separately so they all get cooked through, lightly charred, and perfectly delicious. If you cram everything into one pan to try and cook it all together, it will steam and not be nearly as tasty. But if you’re in a hurry, you can use two large sauté pans at once on the stove: one for chicken, one for the onion and peppers. They’ll cook in about the same time and then you can toss them together before serving - or just serve straight from the separate pans. How to warm tortillas:
If you have a gas burner, you can place a soft flour tortilla, one at a time, directly over the flame. Leave it for 5-10 seconds, until lightly charred, then flip and do the same on the other side. Again, just 5-10 seconds is all you need to get it browned and bubbled up slightly.If you have an electric stove, you can broil your tortillas in the oven as an alternative. Just keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn.Or of course, you can wrap the tortillas in some damp paper towels and warm them in the microwave too.
Leftover chicken fajitas:
The leftover fajita chicken and peppers and onions can be stored, once cooled, in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet to warm them back up.You can make fajitas again or you can use the chicken fajitas for a grain bowl or rice bowl along with some beans, veggies and more of your favorite toppings.You can also mix your warmed, leftover fajitas into some hot cooked pasta, mix with some salsa and shredded cheese and you’ve got a fajita pasta dish that tastes delicious!
title: “Easy Chicken Fajitas” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-28” author: “Frank Court”
5 2 Published Apr 30, 2024, Updated May 18, 2024 This straightforward recipe focuses on simple, fresh ingredients, seasoned with a homemade spice mix. It’s a 30 minute meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition, making it the perfect dinner for those busy weeknights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and easy – From start to finish this recipe comes together in about 30 minutes! One pan – Everything cooks up in one skillet. Hooray for minimal dishes! Healthy – The combo of lean chicken and plenty of vegetables makes this the perfect healthy meal, in my book. Versatile – Adapt the toppings and spice levels to match your dietary needs and taste preferences.
Ingredients Needed
When it comes down to it, you really only need a handful of simple ingredients to make chicken fajitas: bell peppers, onions, chicken, lime juice and spices. Plus, we can’t forget about the tortillas and toppings. Here’s everything you need:
bell peppers – a classic ingredient adding some sweetness and color. I love using a combination of yellow, orange and red bell peppers but any color combo will work. yellow onion and garlic – more classic ingredients that add a ton of flavor to this dish. boneless chicken breasts – sliced into thin strips for quick cooking. olive oil – used for sautéing the chicken and veggies. Avocado oil will also work. spices and seasonings – we’re making our own homemade seasoning mixture with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. lime – the juice adds a fresh, zesty finish. tortillas – I prefer warm flour tortillas for serving, but corn tortillas will work as well.
How to Make Chicken Fajitas
This recipe is super easy to whip up. Once your veggies and chicken are cut and spices are mixed together this dish comes together in a matter of minutes. Here’s how to make it: Step 1: Combine all the spices in a small bowl. In a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, sauté the bell peppers and onion until softened. Add garlic and half the seasoning mix and cook for a few more minutes to combine. Step 2: Transfer the vegetables to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the chicken strips with the remaining seasoning and lime juice until chicken is cooked through. Step 3: Add the cooked vegetables back to the skillet with the chicken. Serve immediately in warmed tortillas with your choice of toppings.
Recipe Variations
For a low-carb option serve the chicken fajitas in lettuce wraps or over a bed of lettuce for a chicken fajita salad. Skip the tortillas and make these chicken fajita bowls instead served over quinoa. Swap the chicken with steak for steak fajitas or shrimp for shrimp fajitas. Skip the stovetop and make these sheet pan chicken fajitas on a baking sheet in the oven.
Chicken Fajita Toppings
The toppings are my favorite part! My go-to toppings are sour cream or Greek yogurt, salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and lime wedges. You don’t need all of these. Pick your favorite toppings and use those!
What to Serve With Chicken Fajitas
These chicken fajitas are a meal on their own, but it’s always nice to have a few sides and fun drinks… especially if you’re hosting. Here are some options:
Sides: easy black bean dip, cowboy caviar, creamy vegan queso, avocado salad, Mexican street corn salad, cilantro rice, Spanish rice and/or refried beans. You could even add the refried beans and rice to your fajitas, if you’d like! Drinks: skinny paloma or skinny margarita
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, simply store the chicken and veggies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, I would heat everything in a skillet on the stove or pop it in the oven for a few minutes until warm and then make your fajitas.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Healthy Mexican Layer Dip Mexican Quinoa Casserole Healthy Chicken Enchiladas Chicken Burrito Bowl Vegan Enchiladas Red Chilaquiles Healthy Chicken Tacos Healthy Chicken Quesadillas
Be sure to check out all of the chicken recipes as well as the full collection of Mexican recipes on EBF!
