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    Home » Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe

    Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe

    Published: Mar 4, 2022 · Modified: Dec 15, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    In this chicken fajita recipe, chicken is infused with a flavorful marinade, then cooked with bell peppers, onions and garlic. Served with your favorite tortillas, guacamole, and homemade salsa, these chicken fajitas are an easy, healthy & delicious weeknight meal.

    Chicken Fajitas in a cast iron skillet

    Whenever we go out for Mexican food, I almost always order chicken fajitas (or chicken enchiladas). Since going out with 6 young children isn't always easy, I decided it was past time for me to make the best chicken fajita recipe at home!

    In this recipe, chicken is infused with a flavorful marinade, then cooked with bell peppers, onions and garlic.

    Serve them with your favorite tortillas, guacamole, refried black beans, cilantro lime rice and homemade salsa for a Mexican feast that's easy, healthy & delicious.

    Chicken Fajitas served in tortillas

    Chicken Fajita Recipe: Ingredients and Substitutions

    photo of the ingredients in this Chicken Fajita recipe
    • Chicken breasts. use prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
    • Lime juice. Fresh-squeezed or bottled both work well!
    • Olive oil. Avocado oil is a great substitute for olive oil.
    • Minced garlic. I use jarred, but freshly minced garlic is great too.
    • Spices (cumin, paprika, chili powder & coriander). I have included our favorite fajita seasoning blend. You can adjust it to your tastes however you see fit.
    • Bell peppers. I like to use a variety of colors for presentation, you can use your favorites (red, orange, yellow, red).
    • Onion. Use a sweet yellow or white onion or red onion.
    Chicken Fajitas served in tortillas

    How to make Chicken Fajitas

    This chicken fajita recipe is relatively easy, and if you follow my tips and suggestions they are certain to turn out perfectly every time!

    Marinade the chicken

    Begin this recipe by marinating the chicken. First, cut the chicken breasts into thin strips 1 to 1.5 inches long.

    Then, whisk together lime juice, olive oil and minced garlic in a medium bowl. Next, add the chicken and stir to coat.

    two photos showing How to Make Chicken Fajitas - marinating chicken

    In a small bowl combine spices and stir to combine.

    Next, add the fajita seasoning to the chicken and turn to coat. Cover the bowl and marinate chicken for at least 1 hour at room temperature or longer in the refrigerator.

    Make sure to remove chicken from the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before cooking so it is not too cold when cooked (this will help it brown quickly).

    two photos showing How to Make Chicken Fajitas - marinating chicken

    Cook the chicken fajitas

    When you're ready to cook, drain excess liquid from the marinated chicken.

    Heat 1 TBS olive oil in a large cast iron skillet until shimmering

    NOTE: you do not want to over-crowd the skillet. If you only have a smaller skillet (10” or less) then you will need to cook these chicken fajitas in two batches. Keep the first batch warm in the oven while making the second. It’s important the chicken is in a single layer and the pan is heated with the oil to brown the meat.

    Next, add the chicken, onions and garlic and cook over medium-high heat until chicken is browned, stirring occasionally.

    two photos showing How to Make Chicken Fajitas - cooking chicken, onions and garlic.

    Then, add the peppers and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.  

    Cook over high heat until seared/browned (3-5 minutes). If necessary, add more olive oil to brown the fajitas.

    two photos showing How to Make Chicken Fajitas - adding bell peppers.

    Serving suggestions

    Serve immediately! We love serving these with tortillas, or as a yummy Mexican bowl/salad with these recipes:

    • The best Homemade guacamole is a must-have companion for this chicken fajita recipe.
    • Also, homemade salsa - yum!
    • Cilantro lime rice is a great side dish!
    • These refried black beans are healthy and delicious.
    cooked Chicken Fajitas in a cast iron skillet

    Store/freeze

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

    Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

    Chicken Fajitas served in tortillas

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you cut chicken for chicken fajitas?

    I suggest cutting the chicken in thin, longer strips. Use a very sharp knife!

    What toppings do you put on fajitas?

    My favorites are sour cream, salsa and guacamole.

    Can you use taco seasoning on fajitas?

    Yes, you can replace the fajita seasoning in this recipe with taco seasoning, if you prefer.

    Do you cut chicken fajita meat before cooking?

    Yes, absolutely. You want to use thinly sliced chicken so it browns well!

    Chicken Fajitas served in tortillas

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    Chicken Fajitas

    Laura
    In this chicken fajita recipe, chicken is infused with a flavorful marinade, then cooked with bell peppers, onions and garlic. Served with your favorite tortillas, guacamole, and homemade salsa, these chicken fajitas are an easy, healthy & delicious weeknight meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Marinating 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 213 kcal

    Equipment

    • cast iron skillet
    • measuring spoons
    • spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    Fajita chicken

    • 2 pounds chicken breasts sliced into very thin 1 to 1.5” long strips
    • 2 TBS lime juice
    • 2 TBS olive oil
    • 1 TBS minced garlic

    Fajita seasoning:

    • ½ tsp ground cumin
    • ½ tsp smoked paprika
    • ¼ tsp chili powder
    • ¼ tsp ground coriander
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

    Fajitas

    • 2 TBS olive oil or more as needed
    • 1 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips
    • 1 green bell pepper sliced into thin strips
    • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced into thin strips
    • 1 onion sliced into thin strips

    Serving:

    • Sour cream guacamole, a drizzle of extra lime juice, cheese, salsa, tortillas, etc.

    Instructions
     

    Marinade the chicken.

    • Cut chicken breasts into thin strips 1 to 1.5 inches long.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together lime juice, olive oil and minced garlic, add chicken and stir to coat.
    • In a small bowl combine spices and stir to combine.
    • Add the fajita seasoning to the chicken and turn to coat. Cover the bowl and marinate chicken for at least 1 hour at room temperature or longer in the refrigerator. Make sure to remove chicken from the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before cooking so it is not too cold when cooked (this will help it brown quickly).

    Cook the fajitas.

    • Drain any excess liquid from the marinated chicken.
    • Heat 1 TBS olive oil in a large cast iron skillet until shimmering (NOTE: you do not want to over-crowd the skillet. If you only have a smaller skillet (10” or less) then you will need to cook these fajitas in two batches. Keep the first batch warm in the oven while making the second. It’s important the chicken is in a single layer and the pan is heated up with the oil to brown the meat).
    • Add chicken, onions and garlic and cook over medium-high heat until chicken is browned, stirring occasionally.
    • Add peppers and remaining 1 TBS olive oil.
    • Cook over high heat until seared/browned (3-5 minutes). If necessary, add more olive oil to brown the fajitas.
    • Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient notes/substitutions: 

    • Chicken breasts. use prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
    • Lime juice. Fresh-squeezed or bottled both work well!
    • Olive oil. Avocado oil is a great substitute for olive oil.
    • Minced garlic. I use jarred, but freshly minced garlic is great too.
    • Spices (cumin, paprika, chili powder & coriander). I have included our favorite fajita seasoning blend. You can adjust it to your tastes however you see fit.
    • Bell peppers. I like to use a variety of colors for presentation, you can use your favorites (red, orange, yellow, red).
    • Onion. Use a sweet yellow or white onion or red onion.
     

    Store/freeze

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
    Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 213kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 25gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 281mgPotassium: 549mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 669IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cyndi

      December 14, 2022 at 6:19 am

      Your chicken fajitas look delightful. Very clear and complete instructions. However, I can not locate the nutritional values??

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 15, 2022 at 9:41 am

        Well Cyndi, that's because I forgot to include them! So thank you for bringing that to my attention! I went ahead and added the nutritional information - based on this recipe making 8 servings.

        Reply
    2. Mary

      July 01, 2022 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      Hi. Thanks for the recipe. But you ought to make a correction that you can keep leftovers in the FREEZER for about a month (rather than storing in the refrigerator for up to 1 month)!

      Reply
      • Laura

        July 02, 2022 at 7:17 am

        Yikes! I fixed that! Thank you!

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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