Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

30 minutes mins

| 10 Comments |

5 from 12 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

Make these easy chicken fajitas your new go-to weeknight dinner! They cook up quickly in a skillet & everyone can serve themselves their favorite toppings.

Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

Chicken Fajita recipe

  • My favorite dinners are those that require a small amount of dishes and are self-assembly – and chicken fajitas fit the bill perfectly.
  • This is a quick meal, on the table in as little as 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights.
  • You can prep the chicken and vegetables up to 24 hours ahead of time, so that your meal comes together even faster at dinner time.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Peppers: I always try to use three different colors of bell peppers, it looks so pretty! If you’re not a fan of green peppers, feel free to skip it and use another red or yellow instead. If you’re wondering how to slice them without making a mess with the seeds, see my guide on how to cut a bell pepper!
  • Onion: My preference here is a white onion, but yellow works just as well.
  • Fajita seasoning: I use my homemade fajita seasoning, but feel free to use a packet mix for convenience.

How to make Chicken Fajitas

1. Combine the chicken with seasoning, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lime juice. You can cover it and refrigerate the chicken for up to 24 hours – but you can also cook it right away.

2. Cook the chicken in olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat in two batches.

You’ll want to get a char on the chicken and cook it fully through – this should take around 2 minutes per side, but be sure to check the internal temperature to make sure it reaches 165°F.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

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Recommended internal temperature for chicken

Wondering when your chicken is done and safe to be eaten? I highly recommend investing in (the following is an affiliate link an I earn a commission for purchases made through it) a meat thermometer. I check pretty much everything I cook and bake with mine to make sure I’m at the accurate temperature.

The US government’s food safety website recommends cooking all poultry to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

3. Add the onions to the skillet and cook them over medium-high heat until fully softened and lightly browned in color. This will take around 4-5 minutes. Remove them and set them aside on a plate as well.

4. Finally, cook the peppers – you can leave them as crisp as you like, or cook them until fully softened. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the peppers in two batches, too.

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5. Once the peppers are done to your liking, add the chicken and onions back to the skillet. Carefully toss over medium-high heat for 30-60 seconds until heated through.

6. Serve immediately with flour tortillas, lime juice, cilantro and your favorite toppings.

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How to fold a Fajita

Let me preface this by saying that this is the Fajita folding method I saw in a Jamie Oliver cookbook some 15 years ago. I really don’t know how authentic it is, because in all the Mexican restaurants I’ve eaten (and I have eaten Fajitas at a lot of Mexican places), they were self-assembly.

This is simply my favorite way to fold them to avoid making a huge mess: Place the filling (and any toppings you want) in the middle of your tortilla.

Fold up a small part on the bottom (this will catch any sauces, juices or filling wanting to ooze out!), then fold over the left and right sides.

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Now you have a “pocket” you can easily pick up and eat without making a mess!

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Recipe tips

  • Make sure to slice the chicken evenly, to ensure all pieces cook in about the same time. You’ll also want to slice the onion and peppers evenly for the same reason.
  • Slice the onion thinly, that way it will cook faster and its shape and texture works better in a Fajita filling.
  • If your skillet is on the smaller side, you’ll want to cook the peppers in two batches. You also may need to heat through all of the ingredients at the end in two batches.
  • Adjust the amount of Fajita seasoning and lime juice added to your taste – I always like to add an extra tablespoon of lime juice to the sizzling hot pan right before I take the filling off the heat.
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Serving ideas

Our favorite Fajita toppings are definitely salsa (try my fresh salsa!), sour cream and guacamole.

If you’re looking for a side dish to round out your meal, you’ll enjoy a Mexican bean salad or a chunky avocado salsa for sure.

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Easy Chicken Fajitas

Make these easy chicken fajitas your new go-to weeknight dinner! They cook up quickly in a skillet & everyone can serve themselves their favorite toppings.

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 12 votes

Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 15 minutes mins

Total 30 minutes mins

Servings 8 Fajitas

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

For the Fajita filling

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil plus extra for frying
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Fajita seasoning
  • 3 medium bell peppers cored and sliced
  • 1 large onion peeled, halved and thinly sliced

To serve

  • 8 medium flour tortillas
  • toppings of choice we like salsa, sour cream and guacamole

Instructions

  • Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lime juice and Fajita seasoning.

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then cook chicken in two batches until cooked through on the inside and lightly charred on the outside, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate.

  • Place onions in skillet and cook over medium-high heat until fully softened and lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate.

  • Place peppers in skillet and cook over medium-high heat until cooked to your liking.

  • Once peppers are done, place chicken and onions back in skillet and toss for 30-60 seconds over medium-high heat, until heated through. Serve chicken filling immediately with warmed flour tortillas, and your favorite toppings.

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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Peppers: I always try to use three different colors of bell peppers, it looks so pretty! If you’re not a fan of green peppers, feel free to skip it and use another red or yellow instead. If you’re wondering how to slice them without making a mess with the seeds, see my guide on how to cut a bell pepper!
  • Onion: My preference here is a white onion, but yellow works just as well.
  • Fajita seasoning: I use my homemade fajita seasoning, but feel free to use a packet mix for convenience.

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to slice the chicken evenly, to ensure all pieces cook in about the same time. You’ll also want to slice the onion and peppers evenly for the same reason.
  • Slice the onion thinly, that way it will cook faster and its shape and texture works better in a Fajita filling.
  • If your skillet is on the smaller side, you’ll want to cook the peppers in two batches. You also may need to heat through all of the ingredients at the end in two batches.
  • Adjust the amount of Fajita seasoning and lime juice added to your taste – I always like to add an extra tablespoon of lime juice to the sizzling hot pan right before I take the filling off the heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1FajitaCalories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 15gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 312mgPotassium: 374mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1460IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Recipe first published on 04/25/2016. Updated with new photos, changes to improve the recipe and better text on 04/22/2021.

More Mexican-inspired chicken recipes

  • Easy Chicken Enchiladas
  • Easy Chicken Quesadillas
  • Pineapple BBQ Pulled Chicken Tacos
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Southwestern Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • The Ultimate Chicken Taco Salad
  • One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
  • Cheesy Cornbread Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole

Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (23)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Cecelia Priest says

    Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (26)
    I made recipe because I had a great bell pepper harvest The meal cane out great. Lots of favor. the meat was tender. My dinner guests loved it! It’s a keeper.

    Reply

  2. Angie says

    I have a house full of picky eaters! This was quick, easy, and best of all EVERYONE loved it! Will definitely be making it again!

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad your picky eaters approved this dinner, Angie!

      Reply

  3. Pamela Blake says

    Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (27)
    This is my go to. I searched the Internet for my favorite. Your marinade is perfect. ( I omit the sugar). Serve it w lo carb tortillas which I toast in a non stick fry pan for a minute
    And I think it is equal to a regular one. Delish!

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Pamela!

      Reply

  4. John says

    Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (28)
    I am a retired man that has not cooked in my life. I find you recipes to be simple to follow and preform. This one was a home run. My guest and I both thought it was delicious. With your help I may have found a new hobby.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, John!

      Reply

  5. Medha says

    Fajitas are such a delicious and easy weeknight dinner and the always seem more fancy and thought out than they are- minimal effort, maximum flavor, love it! 🙂

    Reply

  6. Mary Frances says

    Simple and tasty!! Great recipe, Nora 🙂

    Reply

  7. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    Oh yes, I am allll about easy dinners – especially for one person, I can’t be bothered than to cook one thing. No entrees and sides going on over here, haha. Fajitas make the best leftovers too, so I’ve got to whip this up for dinner this week. So glad your back posting so many yummy recipes, Nora 😀

    Reply

Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for a fajita? ›

All you need is chicken, bell pepper, onion, lime juice and spices, plus tortillas and your favorite toppings. It's incredibly easy. It's a one-pan recipe and in less than 30 minutes, you'll have a tasty meal (I can't get enough of those Mexican spices) that also makes for the best leftovers or meal prep.

Can I substitute taco seasoning for fajita seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but they are not the same. Taco seasoning typically has more oregano and chili powder than fajita seasoning. With that being said, however, you can use fajita seasoning and taco seasoning interchangeably in recipes, it may just warrant a slightly different flavor.

Should I cut chicken for fajitas before cooking? ›

Slicing will save you cook time.

When it comes to skillet fajitas, you want to cook everything hot and fast. You can avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken by slicing the peppers, onions, and chicken into 1/4-inch strips. For the chicken breast, cutting across the meat's grain will make for more tender fajitas.

What kind of onion for fajitas? ›

You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

What is fajita seasoning made of? ›

Fajita seasoning is made up of a blend of common spices found in Mexican cuisine, including: Chili Powder. Ground Cumin. Garlic Powder.

What spices are in Old El Paso fajita mix? ›

Sugar, onion powder (13%), salt, hydrolysed SOY protein, spices (black pepper, cayenne pepper, ginger) (6%), acidity regulator (citric acid), flavouring, smoke flavouring, natural flavouring, yeast extract, colur (plain caramel), garlic powder, anti caking agent (tricalcium phosphate).

What can I use if I don't have enough taco seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  1. 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  2. ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  3. ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  4. Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  5. ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  6. ½ teaspoon paprika.
  7. 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  8. 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

Can you use McCormick fajita seasoning as a marinade? ›

McCormick Culinary Fajita Marinade & Seasoning Mix's uniform texture is perfect for marinating protein and infusing signature flavor before grilling, broiling or roasting.

How do you cook fajita meat so it's not tough? ›

Steak for fajitas should be cooked to rare or medium-rare for the best texture and flavor. 3. Slice thinly, against the grain. Cutting meat against the grain into thin strips shortens the muscle fibers, reducing the amount of work you have to do to chew them, and making even tough cuts taste tender.

What kind of cheese for fajitas? ›

When one user posed the query, "What cheese to use for fajitas?", several dedicated fajita fans chimed in with opinions. Cotija, Manchego, queso fresco, and Colby Jack were all popular responses.

What cut of meat do Mexican restaurants use for fajitas? ›

The question of “what is a fajita” would usually be referred to as sliced skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dish. In restaurants, the meat is usually cooked with onions and bell peppers and toppings that are served on the side.

What do you put in a fajita kit? ›

Heat the tortillas according to the pack instructions. Load the tortillas with cabbage, carrot, pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and chicken; drizzle with salsa.

How do you cook fajita meat so it's tender? ›

Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat
  1. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it. By looking closely at the steak, you'll be able to see the direction the grain is running. ...
  2. Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.
Feb 2, 2024

How do you assemble fajitas? ›

Soft fillings include things like beans, guacamole, or sour cream. Use a spoon to spread the soft filling, spreading it down the middle of the tortilla. Keep the filling away from the edge of the tortilla. Adding the filling first will act as an adhesive for the other toppings to keep your fajita together.

What is the most common meat used for fajitas? ›

Steak: Flank steak is what's typically used for steak fajitas. But you can also use sirloin steak or skirt steak (similar to my carne asada recipe). Steak Fajita Marinade: A simple yet flavorful combo of lime juice, olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper — that's it!

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