One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe
If you’re ready to turn a busy weeknight into a delicious, fiesta-worthy evening, this One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe is your new go-to. With juicy strips of chicken, vibrantly colored bell peppers, and zesty spices all roasted together on a single sheet pan, cleanup is a breeze but the flavors are anything but basic. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting a casual dinner with friends, this dish brings everyone to the table with excitement—and you can customize each fajita just the way you like. Let’s dive into why this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe is carefully chosen to maximize flavor, color, and ease. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity: just a handful of fresh, vibrant components and some pantry spices come together to create magic in the oven.
- Chicken breasts: Sliced thinly, they cook quickly and soak up all the bold fajita flavors.
- Bell peppers (any color): These bring sweetness, crunch, and a rainbow of color to your pan.
- Large red onion: Sliced for a mild, slightly sweet bite that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
- Olive oil: Helps everything roast to a perfect, golden finish while adding richness.
- Lime juice: Adds a bright, citrusy zing that ties all the flavors together.
- Chili powder: Brings warmth and just the right hint of heat to each bite.
- Paprika: Lends a smoky depth and a pop of color to the mix.
- Cumin: Adds that signature earthy, slightly nutty flavor you expect in classic fajitas.
- Garlic powder: Infuses every strip of chicken and veggie with irresistible savory notes.
- Onion powder: Boosts the oniony aroma and flavor throughout the dish.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the other flavors.
- Black pepper: A little kick of sharpness to balance the spices.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For those who like an extra burst of heat!
- Warm flour tortillas: The soft, pillowy base for wrapping up all that fajita goodness.
- Optional toppings (sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro): These let everyone make their perfect fajita—don’t skip them!
How to Make One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Sheet Pan and Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large sheet pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Slice your chicken breasts into thin strips, then do the same for your bell peppers and red onion. Prepping everything up front makes assembly a breeze, and ensures that all your ingredients cook evenly.
Step 2: Season and Toss Everything
In a large mixing bowl, combine your sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onion. Drizzle the olive oil and lime juice over the top, then sprinkle in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Toss everything thoroughly—using your hands or tongs—so every piece is nicely coated in the zesty spice mixture. This step is where all the flavor magic happens!
Step 3: Arrange on the Pan
Spread the seasoned mixture out in a single, even layer on your prepared sheet pan. Avoid overcrowding the pan; this helps the chicken and veggies roast instead of steam, giving you those irresistible caramelized edges.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. About halfway through the cooking time, give everything a gentle stir to ensure even roasting. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are beautifully tender and slightly charred on the edges. The aroma filling your kitchen will have everyone asking, “Is it ready yet?”
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Let your One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe rest for a couple of minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps every bite succulent. Serve immediately with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings—the fun part is customizing each fajita just how you want it!
How to Serve One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishes are where you can get creative and really let your taste buds shine. Classic choices like fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or sliced jalapeños add color, freshness, and a little extra kick. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for a creamy finish!
Side Dishes
To make your meal even more satisfying, serve your One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe with sides like fluffy Mexican rice, hearty black beans, or a crisp green salad. A bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips is always a crowd-pleaser, too.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your fajita night into a build-your-own bar by setting out all the toppings and sides buffet-style. Or, for a fun twist, serve the chicken and veggies over a bed of rice or tucked into lettuce cups for a lighter, low-carb option. However you present it, this dish always feels festive!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe keeps beautifully in the fridge. Simply transfer the cooled chicken and veggies to an airtight container and store for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as they sit, making leftovers just as delicious as the first night!
Freezing
If you want to stock your freezer for future busy nights, this recipe is freezer-friendly. Let everything cool completely, then pack individual portions into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, you can use the microwave for convenience, but for the best texture, warm your leftovers in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. If reheating from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge first, then reheat as usual. The chicken and veggies will come back to life and taste just as fresh!
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic choice for the One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe if you’re looking for extra juiciness and flavor. Just slice them into strips and follow the recipe as written.
What if I don’t have all the spices listed?
No worries—if you’re missing a spice or two, your fajitas will still be delicious. You can substitute a store-bought fajita or taco seasoning blend, or mix and match with what you have on hand.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! The chicken and vegetables are naturally gluten-free, so just swap out the flour tortillas for corn tortillas or serve the filling over rice for a completely gluten-free meal.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken with extra veggies such as mushrooms, zucchini, or even strips of firm tofu. The spice blend and roasting method work beautifully with plant-based proteins, too!
Is it possible to prep the ingredients ahead of time?
Definitely! You can slice all your veggies and chicken, toss them with the marinade, and keep the mixture in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes the One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe even easier to throw together on a busy night.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about a meal that’s bursting with flavor, comes together in one pan, and brings everyone to the table with smiles. If you’ve never tried a homemade One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe before, now’s the perfect time—grab your sheet pan, gather your favorite toppings, and let the fiesta begin!
Print
One-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This One-Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe offers a simple and flavorful way to enjoy a classic Mexican dish with minimal cleanup. Tender strips of chicken are baked alongside vibrant bell peppers and onions, all seasoned with a blend of spices and lime juice. Served with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings, this dish is perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 3 bell peppers (any color), sliced
- 1 large red onion, sliced
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Serving
- Warm flour tortillas
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a large sheet pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced chicken, bell peppers, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice, then sprinkle all the spices including chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Arrange and Bake: Spread the seasoned mixture in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking, until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the fajitas rest for a couple of minutes. Serve hot with warm tortillas and your choice of toppings such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro.
Notes
- For added flavor and juiciness, consider using chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- To save time, prep all ingredients and marinate them in the refrigerator up to 24 hours ahead.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (without tortilla or toppings)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
