Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas are an easy, flavor-packed weeknight meal the whole family will love! We’ve got juicy seasoned chicken with sautéed onions and bell peppers. Pile the meat and veggies in warm tortillas or atop rice and add all your favorite toppings like cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.

We love fajitas! Try some other favorite variations on this recipe like this Chicken Fajita Marinade (for grilled chicken fajitas), Steak Fajitas, Shrimp Fajitas, or Vegetarian Fajitas.

The Best Chicken Fajita Recipe!

We are obsessed with these Chicken Fajitas; they’re a frequent go-to dinner at my home.

These healthy fajitas combine lean protein with loads of veggies to deliver a protein-loaded, nourishing, and satiating meal that is also packed with flavor.

It’s a meal the whole family loves and it truly tastes restaurant quality with all the fun toppings and additions piled atop the chicken and veggies.

What’s In Chicken Fajitas?

All you’ll need is chicken, bell peppers, onions, lime juice, plus a few spices to make the bulk of this recipe. Then it’s all about how you’d like to serve it — grab your favorite toppings plus some tortillas. 

What Toppings Go On Fajitas?

Chicken Fajitas are tasty on their own, but the toppings and sides are the “secret” to outstanding flavors and textures! For restaurant-style Chicken Fajitas, it’s all about having plenty of toppings and good flour tortillas.

• Try our favorite Guacamole recipe straight from a Hawaiian native. Or fresh ripe avocados (diced or thinly sliced). No access to ripe avocados? Try this product.
• This quick food processor Salsa recipe is made from canned tomatoes. Or try a scoop of Pico de Gallo or Avocado Salsa.
• This practically famous Cilantro Lime Sauce
• Fresh lime wedges and/or fresh cilantro
• Sour cream (fat-free, lite, or regular)
• A handful of shredded lettuce
• Freshly grated or shredded cheese (Mexican blend, sharp Cheddar, queso fresco, or cotija cheese)
• For some heat, add in some sliced jalapeños

Serve Chicken And Peppers In Or Alongside:

• Warmed tortillas with your favorite toppings (ideas listed directly above).
• Cilantro lime rice or quinoa (or cauliflower rice/bed of lettuce for low carb).
• Black beans as a side.
• Elote or plain grilled corn as a side.

How Do You Cut Chicken For Fajitas?

The key to keeping this recipe quick and easy is preparing the chicken before cooking. Adding a whole chicken breast to a skillet is more time intensive and more prone to burning before the interior is cooked. This is why we cut the breasts in half. 

Once halved, we then pound chicken breasts into evenly thick pieces (don’t pound to flatten, just to ensure pieces are even thickness throughout to ensure even cooking). I really like this meat mallet, and here’s a good YouTube video that illustrates the pounding process. No meat mallet? Use the base of a frying pan or even your fist to even out the chicken!

Once the chicken is cooked and has rested, cut into strips perpendicular to (across) the grain of meat to ensure the most tender slices. 

What Is Chicken Fajita Seasoning Made Of?

While seasoning packets are convenient, nothing beats the flavor of quickly assembling your own fajita seasoning. It’s also economical and you’re avoiding filler and artificial ingredients!

Here’s a breakdown of this chicken fajita seasoning blend:

• chili powder
• paprika
• cumin 
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• cayenne pepper
• salt & pepper

How To Make Chicken Fajitas

Here are our top tips for preparing this easy Chicken Fajitas recipe:

• Use a digital meat thermometer to remove the guesswork of grilling!
  • Cooking times will vary, depending on several factors, so I always recommend using a thermometer to test your chicken as it cooks. Aim to hit 160 degrees Fahrenheit. (Under-cooked = unsafe; Over-cooked = dry chicken). Carry-over heat will take the chicken to a safe 165 degrees.
• Let the chicken rest. After it’s cooked, tent chicken with foil and let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute inside the chicken; this means juicier meat!
• Use two skillets. Yes, it uses more dishes, but dinner is ready quicker and everything is hot! Cook the peppers in one pan while cooking the chicken in the other.

Do I Need A Cast Iron Skillet?

A cast iron skillet will give your chicken and veggies a nice char and sear. That said, a nonstick or stainless steel skillet can also be used just fine! If using a cast iron skillet, be sure it is properly seasoned so the food doesn’t stick and burn.

Let’s Chat Veggies

The peppers and onions we add to these chicken fajitas cook quickly but do require some babysitting at the stovetop while cooking. We aren’t looking to get them super soft or caramelized, but rather we want them crisp-tender with a nice char (char = flavor!).

To get this nice char:

• Add in a single layer (so we cook in batches). If the peppers and onions are overlapping they won’t char.
• Toss every 45 seconds or so to get all sides nicely charred and to the perfect crisp-tenderness.
• Repeat until all the peppers and onions are nicely charred.

More Mexican Favorites:

• Mexican Rice Recipe prepared and baked all in ONE pan!
• Loaded Sweet Potatoes inspired by Mexican Street Corn
• Chicken Tacos with a corn and avocado topping
• Mexican Zucchini Boats with enchilada sauce
• Pozole shortcuts make a quick recipe!