Chicken fajitas are a classic Mexican recipe and a personal favorite for an easy, healthy, and flavorful weeknight meal. Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned and seared, then tossed with vibrant vegetables, and finished with a punch of fresh lime juice. And while this is the perfect meal wrapped with tortillas and toppings, I’ve got a few more tasty serving ideas below!
Why Everyone Raves About These Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas are hands-down the item I order most frequently at Mexican restaurants (besides guacamole, of course). There’s just something about the sizzling skillet being brought to the table that gets my taste buds excited! And the good news is that it’s incredibly easy to recreate this fabulous dinner at home. It’s also a fun crowd-pleaser for Taco Tuesday or when I’m hosting a dinner party. But here are a few other things to love about this recipe:
- The homemade fajita seasoning is unmatched. The simple blend of bold spices really elevates the flavor of the dish. I often make a double batch of the fajita seasoning to keep on hand.
- It’s made in less than 30 minutes. From start to finish, it takes very little time to create juicy chicken, tender veggies, and an all-around satisfying meal. That’s why it’s a favorite for easy weeknight dinners.
- It’s great for meal prep. You can store any leftover fajitas in the fridge to enjoy for several days or top the sliced chicken and veggies on salad greens for a lighter lunch.
- You can switch up the proteins. While chicken fajitas are my go-to, I often switch up this recipe and make shrimp fajitas or steak fajitas. Essentially, I’ll happily eat all the different types of fajitas.
Chicken Fajita Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: I’m using boneless skinless chicken breasts. But you could also use chicken thighs for an even juicier option.
- Vegetables: Sliced onion and bell peppers make for a bright and tasty fajita dish. I like to use red, yellow, and green bell peppers for lots of color, but you can choose any color of bell peppers.
- Lime: Grab a fresh lime to squeeze on top at the end. The punch of acidity really makes the dish.
- Fajita seasoning: Skip the pre-made seasoning packets because nothing compares to the flavor of homemade seasonings. Plus, you’ll avoid any unnecessary fillers and additives. You just need a combination of chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Taco additions: A few essentials I love to prepare are my cassava flour tortillas, sour cream, pico de Gallo, and sliced avocados. But I’ll talk through more serving ideas below.
Is it better to use a fajita seasoning or marinade? Both are great options! I have a chicken fajita marinade (from my list of chicken marinades) that can be used for this recipe with delicious results. But the dry rub fajita seasoning flavors the chicken perfectly for an equally delicious and super quick meal.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Chicken Fajitas
Season the chicken. Generously sprinkle the fajita seasoning on both sides of the chicken and use your fingers to press it in.
Sear the chicken. Lightly coat your skillet with oil and sear the chicken breasts on each side for 7 to 8 minutes. Then remove them from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them into strips.
Saute the bell peppers and onion. While the chicken is cooking, slice the bell peppers and onions. Then saute them in the same skillet for a few minutes until caramelized. You’re essentially making fajita veggies!
Mix everything and serve. Slice the chicken into thin strips and add them back into the skillet. You can also slice those strips in half again if they’re too thick. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top, and stir everything together before serving.
Ways To Serve Chicken Fajitas
- Make chicken fajita tacos or wraps: This is my favorite way to serve them! Grab a fresh batch of tortillas and prep a few toppings such as sliced avocados or guacamole, red salsa or pico de gallo, sour cream, and chopped cilantro.
- Go light with lettuce wraps. Instead of using tortillas, use butter lettuce to make a lettuce wrap! Then add your favorite taco toppings.
- Make a fajita rice bowl: Make my cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice for a super delicious rice bowl. Then add black beans, sweet corn, cotija cheese, and a drizzle of lime crema or chipotle sauce on top for a flavorful touch.
Common Questions
When it comes to cooking the chicken, a cast iron skillet is ideal for searing. It gives a nice char and maximizes the flavors from the seasoning. Just make sure to season your cast iron properly to prevent sticking. But if you don’t own a cast iron pan, a stainless steel pan will work.
Fajitas are typically cooked in a skillet, but you are more than welcome to grill the chicken! You’ll get a nice smoky flavor, enhancing all those delicious Mexican spices.
Definitely! This is another great way to ensure the seasoning coats all sides of the chicken before it’s thrown onto the skillet. But again, it’s not necessary.
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 4 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator the night before, then quickly reheat it in the microwave.
More Easy Mexican Recipes
- Carne Asada: Made with the best marinade for carne asada tacos.
- Birria: Turn this into crispy, cheesy birria tacos.
- Carnitas: A pork lover’s dream.
- Taco soup: Enjoy the best taco flavors in one hearty soup.
- Shrimp Tacos: Paired with a tasty cilantro bacon slaw.
- Huevos Rancheros: The best kind of savory Mexican breakfast.
- Or enjoy these other delicious Mexican recipes!
If you make this chicken fajitas recipe, I’d love to know how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.
Description
Video
Equipment
- Staub Cast Iron Fry Pan My favorite cast iron fry pan for stovetop dishes!
- Zwilling Chef's Knife This is the knife I use in my everyday cooking.
Ingredients
Chicken Fajitas
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 bell peppers , thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ lime
Fajita Seasoning
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Serving
- tortillas
- sour cream
- pico de gallo
- avocado
Instructions
- Make fajita seasoning. Add the fajita seasoning ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir together.
- Season the chicken. Generously sprinkle the fajita seasoning on both sides of the chicken and use your fingers to press it into the chicken.
- Cook the chicken. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts for about 7 to 8 minutes on each side.
- Slice the veggies. While your chicken is cooking, cut the bell peppers and onion into thin slices.
- Cook the veggies. Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it to a plate and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Add the bell peppers and onion to the same skillet over medium heat and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Slice the chicken. When the bell peppers are just about done sauteing, slice the chicken breasts into strips. You can slice those pieces in half again for thinner strips of chicken.
- Mix and serve. Add the chicken back into the skillet, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and stir everything together. Serve immediately with tortillas and extra toppings such as sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole.
Lisa’s Tips
- If you’re unsure if your chicken is cooked through, use an instant-read thermometer to see if the internal temperature is 165°F. And since you’ll be letting the chicken rest while cooking the veggies, I recommend taking it out of the pan at around 160°F, as there will be carry-over cooking.
- If you want extra flavoring on your chicken, use my fajita marinade from this chicken marinade post! Plus, these can be frozen and used at a later time.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally posted February 2020, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
We don’t have a Mexican community as such, over here in Germany, so thank you for this recipe (as well as the other ones) – we’ll be having these Fajitas tomorrow, along with the Pico Gallo, Guacamole, rice and the Strawberry Margherita! Can’t wait! Thank you for your work from Berlin!
Hi Kay- I’m glad you can still enjoy the flavors of Mexico in the comfort of your own home in Germany :) Can’t wait for you to try all the recipes!
hello Lisa, greetings from Malaysia
The chicken fajitas looks delicious..never tried but certainly would love to cook it for lunch or dinner ..
P.S. can I cook the chicken fajitas using a oven instead …any tips for the temperature and also time of cooking
Thank you
Yes, you could cook the fajitas in the oven, no problem! I’d bake them in a 400F oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
This recipe was the bomb. My kids loved it, I loved it, my husband loved it. Family favorite for sure. Flavorful but not salty. And so simple to make. I made extra seasoning for later.
Hi Jenny- Happy to hear this is now a family favorite! It’s always a good idea to have a batch of this seasoning on hand as well :)
Lisa I just made the chicken fajitas. Awesome recipe, so fresh and delicious. We will definitely make them again. Soon!
Hi Susan- Wonderful! They are the perfect, easy weeknight meal :)
Fabulous recipe. So delicious. I’ve made this three times now.
I’ve made so many of your recipes Lisa and they are all divine. Thank you again
Hi Mary- You’re on a roll! Happy to hear you’ve enjoyed these chicken fajitas so much :)
I totally made this last night. It was so yummy my husband and I had the leftovers for lunch today. We also made your pico recipe and last but not least, I made your green smoothie for breakfast! My husband loved it but asked for less paper in it because I accidentally threw the apple in WITH the sticker still on it. wow. oops.
Hi Jenel- Wonderful! These fajitas are always great to eat throughout the week :)
Great family meal! Simple directions make it easy to prepare. It is a favorite dish in our house. Thank you for this delicious recipe!
Hi Teresa- So glad you enjoyed this chicken fajitas!
This was so absolutely amazing Lisa! I’ve tried several of your recipes and they are all wonderful but this one might be my absolute favorite! The seasoning made the chicken so flavorful and the veggies took the flavor too. I also made the mango salsa as the side and they went perfectly together. I made half the recipe and still have so much leftovers. Excited to make this a regular weekly meal!
Hi Asma- Wow, I’m so happy to hear this recipe is your favorite so far! It really is such a great recipe to keep on hand for an easy weeknight meal (with leftovers!)
Wonderful easy recipe! Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed the spices without fillers and additives.
Thanks again.
Hi Dan- Happy to hear you enjoyed these chicken fajitas. Homemade seasoning is always a good idea :)
I love this… I’m not a great cook… and this came out so good!!! It’s so easy and delicious! I love the fajita seasoning with the lime juice at the end 👌🏽😋
Hi Barbara – wonderful! I’m so happy you loved the chicken fajitas. The lime juice really does take it over the top. Enjoy!
Started the Whole30 diet today and this was my first dinner! I thought it was excellent, thank you for the detailed notes and videos to ensure it was easy to do and cooked to perfection.
You’re more than welcome Kaitlyn! I’m thrilled you loved the recipe and step-by-step video. Enjoy! :)
Made this today for dinner. Added some coriander powder, and cayenne pepper to kick the spice level up a notch (I’m from the Caribbean, can’t help it), and cubed the chicken before seasoning it. Also, stuffed everything into pitas since I didn’t have tortillas at hand. This turned out sooooo good. The spice mix is on point, and much better than store-bought. Thanks so much!
Yay, I’m so happy you loved the recipe Vanessa! Homemade spice mixes are always so much more flavorful than store bought. And love how you tweaked the recipe!
Tried this tonight and followed it to a T! It’s a hit with me and my picky husband. I totally recommend this! 💗
Hi Rose- A winning dinner recipe! Happy to hear both you and your husband enjoyed these fajitas :)
Have made these twice now and turned out so amazing everybody loved them! Thank you !!!❤😇🙏
Hi Jane- Wonderful! Happy to hear everyone loved this dish :)
Hi Lisa,
I really enjoy your recipes. Is there a way to make these fajitas not spicy? Any substitution in making the fajita seasoning mix? Thanks for your time.
Hi Deborah – You can always reduce the amount of paprika in the seasoning if you’d like this less spicy. But the fajitas in general aren’t too spicy :)
If you add 1 lb chorizo and top with Tostitos queso blanco dip you get some really nummy fundidos.
I made this twice and I’m making it tonight with tortillas and all the trimmings…. although i have no sense of taste or smell im sure my famliy will enjoy it since im just eatingvfor substance at this point
Oh i also did my own spin the guacamole usingvmy native scotch bonnet peppers for some extra heat
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that Nikki. But, I hope your family enjoys these chicken fajitas :)
Awww Ms Nikki I wish u could smell.
Healthy and delicious!
Two words to perfectly describe this dish :)
Yes, this recipe is great! The only change I made, once my chicken was well-seasoned, was putting the breast pieces into a big baggie. Then I drizzled olive oil and lime juice over the chicken and made sure everything was well-coated. After letting the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, I then grill them using my handy-dandy double-sided cast iron grill/griddle. SInce I did the fajita veggies in a separate saute pan, it saved me a few steps and time.
Hi Matthew- Great way to get extra flavoring through a marinade! The extra oil and lime juice will definitely give it a boost in flavor and texture.
So delicious! Loved that I got to make my own fajita seasoning from things I already had in my pantry!
I served mine over Spanish rice with a dollop of sour cream, avocado salsa, and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
Hi Angie – Isn’t homemade fajita seasoning the best? I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe overall :)
I made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious! Much tastier than packaged fajita seasoning and the chicken came out so juicy and perfect. Thanks for another great recipe!!
Hi Jen- Homemade fajita seasoning is so easy to make and excludes any additives :)
Ahhhhhhmazing I made the chicken fajitas and the Mexican rice during covid 19 I felt like I was out at a restaurant…… cant wait to look for more delicious recipes..
Hi Karen- The Mexican rice pairs perfectly with these chicken fajitas! I’m glad you enjoyed these and can’t wait to show you tons more new recipes coming up :)
Can I make this with beef?
Hi Maggie – Yes! You can also make steak fajitas as well. I actually have a recipe for steak fajitas on my website as well :)
Hi Lisa,
I made this recipe in less than 30 minutes and it was so delicious. I had all of the ingredients on hand and served this meal with avocado and sour cream. My brother, who is a very picky eater, asked for more. Thank you for this recipe!
Hi Lisa,
I made this recipe in less than 30 minutes and it was so delicious. I had all of the ingredients on hand and served this meal with some avocado and sour cream. My brother, who is a very picky eater, asked for more. Thank you so much for this!
Hi Mariya- Glad both you and your brother enjoyed this fajita recipe! Avocado and sour cream are my favorite toppings to add to this as well :)
I wanted to stop to say thanks so much for this and all your recipes and suggestions. This recipe, in particular, is a regular in my house and is one of my favorites because it’s a standing reminder that home cooking is better. Thank you for showing me the way many times.
Hi Mara- Sometimes, cooking at home feels great. Plus, you can always make fresh and delicious meals in an instant!
This is one is soo good. Definitely is going to be our house’s favourite after a roasted capsicum and tomato soup😀 thank you so much for always making sure we have the best recipe results🤗🤩🙏🏻❤️
Hi Assem – So glad you and your family enjoyed this chicken fajita recipe! It’s so easy and simple to make as well :)
Hi Lisa. I am on a roll again today. Been at it since 11am. Made the falafel and tahini sauce. Made a classic beef stew in the crockpot since 2pm. Made a vegetable and bean chili. Made my own adobo sauce. Baked sweet plaintain slices in the oven. In the oven cooked up beer-braised beef and onions and potatoes. Now finishing up with chicken fajitas. This should feed the family all week. Now I am officially exhausted. Stay well.
Hi Adria – oh wow, you are on a roll! Good for you! Happy you’re loving all my recipe and these chicken fajitas as well. :)
I made fajitas for supper tonight. So delicious!! Your falafel recipe has always been my favourite but I think it’s now a tie with these fajitas. Thanks for another great recipe, Lisa!
Hi Sue – I’m so happy you loved the chicken fajitas! They’re one of my favorites for an easy supper as well. I’m happy to hear it ranks up there with my falafel recipe – woot! :)
Hi, Lisa.
Thanks to you, I was able to have a wonderful dinner with my family.
It is not easy to get sour cream here in Korea so, I made some yogurt sauce instead. I just put some lemon juice and a pinch of salt in plain yogurt.
I will look forward to your next video. :)
Hi Ji-hye – I’m so glad you loved this recipe all the way from Korea :) Can’t wait to show you my next video on Youtube!
I finally made your fajita recipe and it was delicious!!!! I had it over spinach and my husband had his wrapped in a tortilla. Another simple, quick and delicious recipe! I’m starting to wonder how we ever lived without Downshiftology!
Hi Sasha – Wonderful! Looks like you found another winning recipe :)
This meal looks so sweet and healthy. I must prepare it by the end of the day.
Made it last night and got raving reviews from husband and kids. I ate mine in a lettuce wrap. The kids added shredded cheese and put it in the oven for about 10 minutes. They loved it. I guess we can say that this one will be on repeat in the future. And the taco seasoning mix was so easy to make and very tasteful.
Hi Babette – Looks like we found another winning recipe with the family! I love how each of you made your own variation on this :)
Made Lisa’s chicken fajitas yesterday and my hubby and I were impressed! We already used package seasoning before and I feel this homemade version made a big difference! It’s so easy, tasty and colorful. Perfect for week night meals or meal prep! Will definitely do it again and again!
Hi Stephanie – Homemade seasoning is the best in my opinion! Plus it’s so easy to make :) I’m glad you and the hubby enjoyed this recipe.
This dish is fabulous, I am not even a fan of bell peppers but my worm has been turned! Loved it. Not over complicated, easy to prep and pace the cooking so I even had a clean kitchen when it was time to plate up. The flavors of the spice mix are superb, I will judge all fajita recipes from this one going forward. Can’t wait to enjoy my leftovers tonight.
Hi Susan – I’m so glad this recipe changed your mind about bell peppers :) It’s definitely one of the easiest recipes to keep on hand for a busy weeknight.
I have made fajitas more times than I could even count. I decided this past weekend to make them using Lisa’s recipe (since all her other recipes have been so delicious I figured this would be too, and I wasn’t wrong). I had never made my own seasoning before, and I actually already had all the seasonings in my pantry, so no effort there. The other big difference was coating the chicken with the seasoning. I had always just sprinkled it over the top of all the ingredients and mixed it in. Doing it Lisa’s way was sooo much better! The sear and flavor that comes out made me just want to eat the chicken and forget about the rest of it! However, I moved forward and finished the meal. The peppers and onions did soak up all the flavor from the pan and the dish came together perfectly! I will now make fajitas following Lisa’s recipe every time going forward. *I used this dish as meal prep for the week and it reheats very well*
Hi Christy – Congrats on making your first batch of seasoning! And yes, giving the chicken a generous coating will really allow the flavors to soak up. Especially since you might lose some of it while searing :)
I pretty much never write reviews on anything (just never seem to get around to it), but in the case of this recipe, I had to make sure to come back and do it…..because these fajitas are freaking AMAZING!!! So flavorful and so easy and simple to make! Each bite was just a flavor explosion. I love the fact that it uses pretty common spices that I already had. And it’s such a versatile recipe too. I threw in some black beans and corn along with avocado sauce and pico de gallo to make a bowl instead of using tortillas, and O.M.G. I cannot say enough good things. I could happily eat this everyday :) Thank you Lisa for another awesome recipe! I have no doubt you’re going to get to 1M in no time!
Hi Ruby – Wow! I’m so thrilled you loved this recipe. It’s definitely got tons of flavor from the homemade seasoning – and I love making salads out of it as well :)
can’t find the right words to describe this amazing dish! sooooooo delicious! Never had better Fajitas! :) so yum!
Hi Katharina – Wonderful! Definitely a delicious weeknight staple to keep on the menu now :)
Hi Lisa, it’s so exciting every time you bring out a new recipe I can’t wait to get all the fresh, healthy ingredients and dive into my kitchen. The Fajita turned out delicious and the chicken crust is so good i made an extra 3 chicken breasts to freeze them in a stasher bag and use them as a salad topping!
Can’t wait for the next recipe to come!
What you created with downshiftology is 5 stars! Keep going! I want to see 1 Mio Subscribers on Youtube
Come on #downshifters :))
Hi Laura – I’m so glad to hear you’re loving all my recipes so far! And that you enjoyed these chicken fajitas :)
Lisa, you’ve done it again. Beautiful and tasty recipe. It’s a hit and just so easy to do. Full of flavour. Thank you once again
Hi Mary – Looks like this was a winner! Glad you enjoyed this recipe :)
These fajitas were AMAZING… so are all of her recipes.. thanks Lisa❤❤❤❤❤
Hi Kristen – Happy you loved this fajita recipe! :)
This is such a simple recipe but it makes a great meal. I doubled the recipe to use for meal prep this week and it reheats perfectly. Don’t skip the lime juice either, it brightens up the flavors and balances out the spices perfectly. I can’t wait to try this spice blend with shrimp!
Hi Amber – The lime juice is definitely a must to contrast all the spices :) Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I agree Amber! I made this for meal prep as well, and even though I squeezed the lime over it initially, I also a lime wedge to my meal prep containers, so when reheating I can add that freshness back to it. It makes all the difference!
Made this last night and it was so delicious that my super picky husband ate the leftovers today (which never happens) and even suggested we try it as a salad. Will definitely be making this again!!!
Hi Deanna – A winner with the hubby is always a good sign. Turning this into a fajita salad will be just as delicious :)
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit. Will definitely put in the rotation. Glad I made double the spice mix though as I added it to the veggies as they cooked because not a lot of spice was coming off the bottom of the pan as they cooked.
Hi Jennifer – It’s always a good idea to have extra spice on hand as it can get lost when cooking. But, I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
These were so good! The spice blend is delicious, I might add a little pinch of cayenne next time for a little more spice. My chicken definitely needed more time cooking, but that might be because I was using a nonstick pan.
Hi Caille – Yes, the cooking time may differ a bit depending on your pan and also the size of your chicken breasts. But, I’m glad you enjoyed the seasoning!
Easy and delicious! We just finished devouring this for dinner. I had all of the spices on hand, which made prep easier. I typically eyeball my seasoning mixes and had some left over after seasoning the chicken, so I tossed it in with the peppers and onions. Worked out great. Definitely a repeat. Thanks Lisa!
Hi Nik – The seasoning definitely does make all the difference in this recipe! Glad to hear this will become a dinner staple now :)
I made this the night you posted the recipe and again the next day! These were a huge hit with my family. Now, I am hoping that you will come up with some coconut flour/milk free bread/pancake recipes. Being allergic to coconut, gluten, and dairy is tricky. As you know, a lot of paleo recipes contain coconut. If you know a trick to sub out coconut flour I would love to know that trick. I haven’t had much luck. Thanks for all you do to support us on our journey to health and wellness.
Hi Chelle – I’m so happy you loved the chicken fajitas recipe! And to answer your questions about a new bread recipe… keep your eyes peeled for my next YouTube video. I’ve got something creative up my sleeves! ;)
Great recipe for a weeknight or guests! Simple and delicious! Thank you!
Hi Maja – It’s such a quick and easy meal to whip up :) Enjoy!
Such an easy to follow recipe thanks to the layout of this post. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tristin – Glad you found this easy to follow! Enjoy the recipe :)
Thanks for this awesome recipe. And I’m happy you give the individual seasoning for the fajita spices, and turns out I don’t even need to go out to get any new spice since I already have everything at home.
Hi Anita – It’s so easy to make your own fajita seasoning at home! Plus it beats the unnecessary additives :)
Looks awesome, Lisa! Can’t wait to try them. Is there any reason these couldn’t be made with chicken thighs, too?
Hi Kim – You can also use chicken thighs if you’d like :) It just comes down to preference.
Love chicken fajitas. It is one of my go-to meals when I can’t decide what to make!
Hi Tisha – Definitely an easy recipe to keep on hand :)
I absolutely love fajitas! Such an easy dinner!
I agree, Tonje! I’m glad you loved this recipe. :)
Awesome easy meal even the kiddos like.
Hi Justine – Most definitely a kid friendly meal – especially with all the fun toppings you can add to this :)