I whip up these Easy Chicken Fajitas using thinly sliced chicken breasts, olive oil, crisp bell peppers and lime juice. Garlic, chili powder and smoked paprika join the mix, creating a dish rich in subtle spice and vibrant color. I can hardly wait to share this simple recipe with you.
I’ve always been on the lookout for quick and tasty meals that don’t require too much fuss, and this Easy Chicken Fajitas recipe was a game changer for me. With 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced thin, combined with 2 tbsp olive oil, I knew I was in for something special.
I tossed in a medium onion sliced into strips and a medley of red, green, and yellow bell peppers along with minced garlic and a squeeze of lime juice. The spices like chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika really brought out the flavors, making me think of some of the best chicken fajita and taco recipes I’ve seen.
Cooking on the stove allowed the ingredients to blend together quickly and perfectly. I love how this recipe takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a vibrant and exciting meal that keeps you coming back for more.
Why I Like this Recipe
I really love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I like that it’s super easy to make. I mean, you just marinate the chicken and throw it in with the veggies, and it’s practically ready in no time even though sometimes I mess up the timing a bit.
Second, the flavors really pop. I love how the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika mix with the garlic and lime juice to give the chicken an awesome, tangy taste that makes every bite interesting—even if I sometimes overdo it on the lime.
Third, the veggies add a cool crunch and blend of colors that makes the whole dish look and taste great. The bell peppers and onions always come out tender but still a little crisp, which is exactly what I need on a busy day.
Finally, making these fajitas feels fun and customizable. I can always tweak the spices a bit when I feel like it, and wrapping up the chicken and veggies in a warm tortilla just makes it feel like a fresh, hearty meal that I look forward to eating again.
Ingredients
Ingredient Quantities
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small flour tortillas
How to Make this
1. Cut the chicken into thin strips and toss them in a bowl with 2 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Let the chicken marinate for about 15 minutes while you slice one medium onion and the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into strips.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil.
4. Once the skillet is hot, add the marinated chicken and cook it for about 5-7 minutes until its mostly cooked through.
5. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers into the skillet with the chicken.
6. Stir frequently and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still a bit crisp.
7. While the chicken and veggies are cooking, wrap the small flour tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds to warm them up.
8. Check that the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are soft; adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
9. Scoop the chicken and vegetables onto each flour tortilla.
10. Serve immediately with extra lime on the side if you like a bit more tang and enjoy your easy chicken fajitas!
Equipment Needed
1. Knife for slicing the chicken, onion, and bell peppers
2. Cutting board to use while chopping all the ingredients
3. Large bowl to toss and marinate the chicken
4. Measuring spoons for oil and spices
5. Large skillet for cooking the chicken and vegetables
6. Spatula for stirring while cooking
7. Microwave-safe plate to warm the tortillas
8. Paper towels to dampen the tortillas before microwaving
FAQ
Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of chicken breasts you could use turkey breast or even pork tenderloin if you’re looking for a change
- If you dont have olive oil on hand, try using vegetable oil or even avocado oil
- In case you’re out of lime juice, lemon juice works pretty well as an alternative
- If flour tortillas aren’t available, corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas can be a great substitute
- If you dont have all three bell peppers, mixing up with a poblano pepper or using just one type of bell pepper is fine too
Pro Tips
1. Make sure your pan is real hot before adding the chicken so you get a nice sear, otherwise the meat might come out kind of soggy
2. Don’t let the acidic lime marinade sit too long with the chicken because it can start breaking down the meat and make it mushy
3. When stirrin in the peppers and onions, keep the heat in check so they stay a bit crisp and don’t lose all their crunch
4. Keep your tortillas wrapped in a damp towel and only warm them just before serving, so they stay soft instead of drying out
Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe
My favorite Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Knife for slicing the chicken, onion, and bell peppers
2. Cutting board to use while chopping all the ingredients
3. Large bowl to toss and marinate the chicken
4. Measuring spoons for oil and spices
5. Large skillet for cooking the chicken and vegetables
6. Spatula for stirring while cooking
7. Microwave-safe plate to warm the tortillas
8. Paper towels to dampen the tortillas before microwaving
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small flour tortillas
Instructions:
1. Cut the chicken into thin strips and toss them in a bowl with 2 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Let the chicken marinate for about 15 minutes while you slice one medium onion and the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into strips.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil.
4. Once the skillet is hot, add the marinated chicken and cook it for about 5-7 minutes until its mostly cooked through.
5. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers into the skillet with the chicken.
6. Stir frequently and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still a bit crisp.
7. While the chicken and veggies are cooking, wrap the small flour tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds to warm them up.
8. Check that the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are soft; adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
9. Scoop the chicken and vegetables onto each flour tortilla.
10. Serve immediately with extra lime on the side if you like a bit more tang and enjoy your easy chicken fajitas!
