These Skillet Chicken Fajitas are stuffed with juicy, marinated chicken, colorful peppers, and onions. Add a side of guacamole and Mexican rice for a tasty Tex-Mex feast.
Would you like to save this?
Enter your email & we'll send you a link to the post. Plus, you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
🥰 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The easy homemade fajita marinade infuses the chicken with bold, smoky flavors, perfectly complemented by the crisp-tender veggies.
- Customizable Fun: Fajitas are all about personalization! Load up your tortillas with your favorite toppings for a meal that will please everyone.
Jump to:
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Breast- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the classic choice. Another option are boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Chicken Fajita Seasoning - Make your own seasoning using chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder (See the recipe card for measurements), or use a store-bought seasoning.
Olive Oil- Used to marinate the chicken and cook the chicken and veggies. Avocado oil and vegetable oil is another good option.
Lime Juice- Fresh lime juice adds a touch of acidity that brightens the flavors. You can substitute bottled lime juice in a pinch, but fresh is best.
Bell Peppers- Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers add vibrant color and sweetness. Use all of one color, or get creative with a mix!
Onion- Yellow onion is my personal choice, a white onion would work too.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
Season Chicken for Fajitas
Mix chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, lime juice, and olive oil to make a flavorful chicken marinade.
If you don't want to make this homemade version, you can buy a premade mix at the store and mix it with lemon juice and olive oil.
How to Cook Chicken Fajitas in a Skillet
Step 1: Prep the Chicken: Whisk together the fajita marinade and cut the chicken breast into strips. Toss the chicken in the marinade, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
Step 2: Prep the Veggies: While the chicken marinates, wash and thinly slice your bell peppers and onions. Shoot for uniform strips for even cooking.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken: Sear the marinated chicken strips for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies: Add the sliced peppers and onions to the hot skillet with another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve: Warm your tortillas. Fill each tortilla with cooked chicken, sauteed veggies, and your favorite fajita toppings.
Tips
Slicing the Chicken: For perfectly sliced chicken for your fajitas, cut thin strips vertically across the chicken breast. If a slice is too wide, cut it in half.
Skillet Choice: A cast iron pan is ideal for searing the chicken and veggies due to its heat retention and searing capabilities. However, a large stainless steel skillet will also work.
Common Questions
Do I have to marinate the chicken?
Marinating your chicken isn't strictly necessary, but it tenderizes and infuses it with flavor. If you're short on time, you can skip the marinating step. Cook your chicken as you would after tossing it in the fajita marinade.
How can I tell when the chicken is cooked through?
The safest way to tell if your chicken is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). You can also check by cutting into a thick piece of chicken; the juices should run clear, not pink.
Fajita Toppings
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican Blend
- Cilantro
- Guacamole
Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
Chicken Fajitas Marinade
- Juice from ½ a lime
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Chicken Fajitas
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
- 3 bell peppers stemmed and sliced into strips
- 1 onion sliced into trips
- 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 8 fajita sized tortillas
See it. Make it. Eat it!
Instructions
- Whisk together all the ingredients for the Chicken Fajitas Marinade in a bowl.
- Cut chicken breasts into thin strips and add them to the marinade. (See the picture above if you're questioning how thin they should be.)
- Toss the chicken in the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- While the chicken marinates, wash and slice your fajita veggies. Aim for thin strips of bell peppers and onions.
- Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Once the pan is hot, add the marinated chicken strips. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Set the cooked chicken aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add one more tablespoon of olive oil and the sliced bell peppers onion onion. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
- Add your chicken to the pan and cook until the chicken is heated.
- Warm your tortillas and fill each tortilla with cooked chicken, sauteed veggies, and your desired fajita toppings.
Notes
Would you like to save this?
Enter your email & we'll send you a link to the post. Plus, you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!