Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas (5 Ingredients!)
Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas with tender chicken breast, bell peppers, red onion, and a quick homemade fajita seasoning mix are ready in less than 20 minutes for a tasty restaurant style meal at home.
The best Chicken Fajitas cooked up on one sheet pan with chicken breast, bell peppers, red onions, and all your favorite fajita toppings. We also love making these slow cooker chicken fajitas and grilled chicken fajitas.
Armed with this easy homemade fajita seasoning, these come together in minutes!
Grab some warmed flour tortillas, avocado, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and salsa for a meal that is ready in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Or serve it as a tasty chicken fajita bowl.
This is one of those super simple meals that take no time to throw together but will quickly become something you make week after week. It really couldn't be easier.
Toss some sliced chicken breast, bell peppers, and onions with olive oil, lime juice, and fajita seasoning. Spread it out on a sheet pan, and in about 15 minutes, you have dinner on the table.
You don't even have to marinate the chicken if you are short on time, although it will add some extra flavor.
The other reason you'll want to make these for your next taco or Mexican dinner is all the topping opportunities. I am a sucker for anything that allows me to pile on all the toppings, and these chicken fajitas are just that.
Set the table with your favorite toppings: fresh guacamole, salsa or pico de gallo, lime wedges, cilantro, shredded jack cheese, sliced jalapenos, and sour cream. Let everyone build their perfect chicken fajita.
Looking for more fajita recipes? Try these Shrimp Fajitas, Steak Fajitas, or Vegetable Fajitas.
Why We Love Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Fast and easy: Who doesn't love a meal that's both quick to prepare and delicious? Sheet pan chicken fajitas are the answer to easy weeknight meals. With minimal prep and cooking time, you can have a tasty meal on the table quickly!
- One pan wonder: Say goodbye to mountains of dishes! Sheet pan dinners only use one large pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Healthy meal: Packed with juicy chicken and fresh veggies like green bell peppers, this dish is not just mouthwateringly good; it's also good for you. It’s a low-carb option that doesn’t skimp on flavor, making it an excellent meal for the whole family.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here is everything you need for these easy chicken fajitas.
- Chicken: For fajitas, I always lean towards boneless skinless chicken breasts. They cook quickly, making them a lifesaver on those busy weeknights! Plus, they soak up the fajita seasoning like a sponge, ensuring every bite is flavorful. You could also use chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins if you prefer dark meat.
- Fajita Seasoning: I'm all for homemade blends because they let you control what goes in (goodbye, preservatives!). A mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper makes homemade fajita seasoning. You can opt for a store-bought mix or use taco seasoning instead.
- Olive Oil: Its rich taste complements the spices beautifully and helps get those chicken pieces perfectly golden. Avocado oil is a fantastic substitute if you prefer it over olive oil. It has a higher smoke point, which makes it great for high-heat cooking and keeps everything tasting delicious.
- Limes: The zesty punch of lime juice adds a burst of freshness and tenderizes the chicken, giving you melt-in-your-mouth goodness. No limes? No problem! Lemon juice works in a pinch and keeps those flavors bright.
- Onion: The slight sweetness of red onion contrasts the savory spices so nicely. You can also use a white or yellow onion, but red onions are my favorite when making fajitas.
- Bell peppers: Red, yellow, green, and orange bell peppers... each brings its taste and pop of color to the table. And if you're up for something different, why not throw in some poblano peppers for a subtle kick?
How to Make Sheet Pan Fajitas
These fajitas couldn't be easier to make!
1. Prep the ingredients
The hardest part of this recipe is the prep work. Start by slicing green, red, or yellow bell peppers into strips. Cut the onion into thin slices. Then cut the chicken into strips.
Add the chicken and sliced veggies to a large bowl or ziplock bag. Add olive oil, lime juice, and fajita seasoning. Give everything a good stir.
If you have time, use this as a fajita marinade and let everything sit for 15-20 minutes. The lime juice tenderizes the chicken, and the spices soak in for more flavor.
2. Bake the chicken and vegetables
Make sure the oven is preheated to 400 degrees. Spread the chicken on a baking sheet, ensuring it is in a single layer for the best results.
Placing the chicken and vegetables in a single layer allows the chicken to brown and get slightly crispy. If the pan is overcrowded, it will steam instead of brown.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is nicely browned and the vegetables are tender and crisp. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken strips.
If you find the chicken has yet to be browned during this time, turn on the broiler. Broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes to get those signature crispy fajita edges.
3. Serve with warm tortillas and toppings
While the chicken fajitas bake, prep your toppings and side dishes. Warm tortillas on the stovetop or in the microwave. Prep toppings like cilantro, avocado, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, lime wedges, and salsa. Warm up canned beans or refried beans.
What to Serve with Chicken Fajitas
Fajitas are typically served with Mexican rice, pinto beans, and an array of toppings, including lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocado, salsa, and sour cream. However, you can easily switch things up to build delicious fajita bowls, salads, quesadillas, and more.
- Tortillas: While I almost always reach for corn tortillas, for an authentic experience, you will want to use flour tortillas for this easy meal. For the best flavor, lightly toast the tortillas on the stovetop. I place them directly on the burner for 10-15 seconds on each side and flip them with tongs.
- Toppings: Like tacos, fajitas are all about the toppings. Consider adding sliced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, cilantro, fresh limes, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa, and anything else you would pile on a taco.
- Beans and more: Traditionally, fajitas are served with refried beans and rice. Black beans, grilled corn, or an avocado tomato salad are always yummy options.
- Make it a salad: Turn this into a chicken fajita salad for a lighter option by serving it over a big batch of greens with some of this honey lime dressing.
- Go gluten-free: Use crisp lettuce wraps instead of tortillas for a healthier meal.
How to Make Fajita Seasoning?
Making your own spice blend for fajitas is easy and so much tastier than buying a store-bought option. You get to control the level of spice and the ingredients and can ensure they work perfectly for your tastes and preferences.
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- Extra spicy fajitas? Add a pinch of cayenne powder to your fajita seasoning.
Recipe Ideas and Tips
There are lots of options for preparing this chicken fajita recipe to be exactly what you crave, changing up the ingredients and cooking methods. Here are some easy ways to make this recipe your own.
- Add some fiber: Add a can of black beans or pinto beans to the sheet pan with the vegetables and chicken for a heartier dish.
- Spice it up: If you like things spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a jalapeno pepper, or swap in poblano pepper for one of the bell peppers in the recipe.
- Onions: Any onion will work in this recipe. The sweetness of the red onion is nice, but a yellow, white, or sweet onion also works.
- Char the chicken: For crispier chicken fajitas with more traditional char, broil the chicken for 3 minutes to brown the top.
- Swap seasoning: If you don't have fajita seasoning and don't feel like making your own, you can use taco seasoning instead. The flavors in the two spice blends are similar, although taco seasoning traditionally includes dried herbs like oregano or coriander.
- To add an extra pop of flavor: Finish the dish with fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Use a cast iron skillet: If you prefer a more traditional preparation, you can make this dish in a hot cast iron skillet. Cook the chicken and vegetables separately to ensure the chicken doesn't overcook.
- Make grilled chicken fajitas: These chicken fajitas can also be cooked on the grill using a grill basket, piece of heavy-duty foil, or flat grilling tray. Another option is to keep the chicken breast whole and then slice it once they come off the grill.
- Change the protein: This recipe also works with chicken thighs, thinly sliced steak, shrimp, tofu, and evenly thinly sliced pork.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store your fajita mix in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you’re ready to heat it up, reheat it in the oven or microwave until warm.
For those who like planning ahead, you can freeze the cooled fajita mix in a Ziploc bag. Lay it flat in your freezer, and when you're ready for a hassle-free dinner, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat. It’s that easy!
Meal Prep and Leftover Ideas
These chicken fajitas make the best leftovers, making them an ideal candidate for meal prep.
Start by doubling or tripling the recipe if needed to have enough portions. Then, let the chicken and vegetables fully cool. Once they are cooled, many options exist for packing them up into different meals.
- Rice bowl: Make taco rice bowls with cooked brown rice (use frozen as a shortcut) and drained black beans. Then pack some avocado, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese on the side.
- Chicken tacos: Make crispy chicken tacos with leftover chicken fajita meat and vegetables. They are so easy and so delicious!
- Fajita salad: Make restaurant-style chicken fajita salads with crunchy chopped Romaine lettuce, canned black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and chicken fajitas. Use homemade ranch dressing mixed with some store-bought salsa or a couple of tablespoons of chipotle adobo sauce for the dressing.
- Chicken fajita soup: Leftover sheet-pan chicken fajitas can easily be used to make chicken fajita soup. Add some broth, diced tomatoes, and any other ingredients you want to toss in.
- Chicken fajita pasta: Toss the leftover chicken fajitas with cooked pasta, canned diced tomatoes, and some reduced-fat cream cheese to make a chicken fajita pasta dish with the leftovers. This is so good and so easy. Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Chicken fajita casserole: I am a sucker for casseroles because, like sheet pan meals, they are made using a single dish. Chicken fajita casserole is a perfect way to repurpose leftover chicken fajitas.
Can I make these chicken fajitas in a skillet?
This recipe easily converts to a skillet. You can start by prepping the chicken and vegetables. For the skillet version, I like to cook the vegetables and chicken separately to start, so I also marinate them separately.
Start by heating a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add some oil to the pan and add the vegetables. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they are lightly charred and soft.
Remove the veggies and set them on the side. Add the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes (depending on thickness), stirring as needed, until just cooked through. Add the vegetables and stir them together. Serve immediately.
Looking for fajita recipes?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions about making these fajitas with chicken.
Should you slice chicken before cooking for fajitas?
Chicken should always be sliced into strips for fajitas so that the chicken can be browned and crispy on all edges. Traditionally fajitas are cooked in a very hot cast iron pan or comal and part of the appeal is all those caramelized edges that come in contact with the hot pan.
With that said, you can cook whole chicken breasts on the grill or in a cast iron pan and then slice them into thin slices after they have been cooked. We recommend butter-flying the chicken breast for this approach to ensure it can get browned on the outside without burning or overcooking.
How many pounds of fajita meat per person?
Since fajita meat is served tortillas with toppings, you only need between 4-6 ounces, or 1/4-1/3 of a pound, of meat per person. Additionally, plan on about 2 bell peppers and 1 onion for every 4-6 people eating fajitas.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas (5 Ingredients!)
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Ingredients
- 1.33 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (any colors)
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Instructions
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Place in the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the chicken is just about cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp. Turn the oven up to broil to add some char and crispiness to the chicken for the last 2 minutes of cooking. One important note, the peppers and onions will still have some bite and texture when cooked this way. If you prefer a softer vegetable, place them in the oven 10 minutes before adding the chicken.
Equipment
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.
Notes
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The only change I made was to grill them over charcoal, and I think that added a new dimension to the flavor. The cooking time was the same for making in the oven.
Thank you so much for all the recipes. They have yet to disappoint.
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