These skillet chicken fajitas are a sizzling combination of seasoned chicken strips, colorful bell peppers, and onions. Cooked quickly in a hot skillet, this vibrant Tex-Mex favorite makes for a delicious, healthy, and fast weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy, cooked in one skillet
- Full of flavor with minimal ingredients
- Customizable with your favorite toppings
- Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- Bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced
- Onion, sliced
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Fajita seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper)
- Tortillas (flour or corn)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese
directions
- In a bowl, toss chicken strips with olive oil, lime juice, and fajita seasoning. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes if time allows.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more oil if needed and cook onions and bell peppers until slightly charred and tender, about 5 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet and toss to combine and heat through.
- Warm tortillas and serve with the chicken and vegetable mixture, adding desired toppings.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook time: 10–15 minutes
- Total time: 25–30 minutes
Variations
- Use shrimp, beef, or tofu instead of chicken
- Add jalapeños for extra spice
- Serve over rice or lettuce for a low-carb option
- Include black beans or corn for added texture
storage/reheating
- Store cooked chicken and veggies in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through
- Tortillas can be wrapped in foil and reheated in the oven
FAQs
Can I use store-bought fajita seasoning?
Yes, but homemade gives you more control over salt and spice levels.
How do I keep chicken tender?
Do not overcook and slice against the grain for tenderness.
What kind of pan is best?
A cast iron skillet gives the best char and flavor, but any large skillet works.
Can I prep ingredients ahead?
Yes—slice everything in advance and cook when ready.
What tortillas are best?
Both flour and corn work—choose based on preference or dietary needs.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild heat; adjust seasoning to taste.
Can I grill instead of pan-fry?
Yes—grill chicken and vegetables on skewers or a grill pan.
Are leftovers good for meal prep?
Absolutely—they reheat well and can be used in bowls, wraps, or salads.
Can I freeze the chicken?
Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently.
How to make it dairy-free?
Simply skip cheese and sour cream or use dairy-free alternatives.
Conclusion
Skillet chicken fajitas with bell peppers are a colorful, flavorful meal that comes together quickly and easily. Whether served traditionally in tortillas or customized into bowls or salads, this dish is a reliable go-to for busy nights or lively family dinners.
PrintSkillet Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers
These skillet chicken fajitas are a sizzling combination of seasoned chicken strips, colorful bell peppers, and onions. Cooked quickly in a hot skillet, this vibrant Tex-Mex favorite makes for a delicious, healthy, and fast weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper)
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken strips with olive oil, lime juice, and fajita seasoning. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes if time allows.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more oil if needed and cook onions and bell peppers until slightly charred and tender, about 5 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet and toss to combine and heat through.
- Warm tortillas and serve with the chicken and vegetable mixture, adding desired toppings.
Notes
- Use shrimp, beef, or tofu as a protein alternative.
- Add jalapeños for extra spice.
- Serve over rice or lettuce for a low-carb version.
- Include black beans or corn for more texture and flavor.
- Prep ingredients ahead for faster weeknight cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fajita (with 2 tortillas and toppings)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg