These budget-friendly Chicken Fajita Tacos are not only kind to our wallets, but they're also easy. This one-pan recipe takes 30 minutes or less, and that's including the peppers and onions!
We're talking full-flavored strips of juicy chicken thighs married with sautéed peppers and onions, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, and topped with the traditional fajita topping favorites.
If you are looking for a low-carb version, turn your chicken fajita tacos into lettuce wraps with sturdy romaine leaves or build yourself a beautiful fajita salad!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
I've experimented with both chicken breast and chicken thighs for this chicken fajita recipe and it's not that you can't make a great fajita with chicken breasts. It's just way easier to do it with chicken thighs if you're in a pinch for time. If you prefer a chicken fajita recipe with chicken breasts, these crockpot chicken fajitas will save you even more time! If time is the constraint in your household, check out our delicious 30-minute meals!
Why Use Chicken Thighs?
I'm sure you've had your fair share of dry chicken fajitas. If you'd like to avoid that, this is the recipe for you! Chicken fajitas are typically made with white meat, but chicken thighs are quick cooking and much more reliable when it comes to juicy chicken. Are chicken recipes calling your name? We have you covered!
Chicken thighs have a higher fat content than chicken breasts. This helps the chicken to retain more juices during the cooking process while also locking in more flavor. If you're more of a steak-fajitas-kind-of-gal, then you can for sure sub flank or skirt steak for the chicken. And guess what? Shrimp works, too!
Fajita Seasoning and Spicy Shortcuts
If you'd like to make a homemade fajita seasoning, you'll need Kosher salt, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Or, for a quick and easy shortcut, just use taco seasoning. The difference between fajita seasoning and taco seasoning is pretty much non-existent so feel free to use a store-bought packet of taco seasoning to simplify things. And, if you want to spice up this recipe a bit, add a pinch of cayenne.
To make Homemade Fajita Seasoning add the following spices and quantities to a bowl and mix:
- 1-½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Chicken Fajita Tacos
Prepare the Chicken | Dry the chicken by patting with a paper towel. With a sharp knife, cut into ¼" strips. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of canola oil or avocado oil and sprinkle with Tex-Mex seasoning. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
Cook Chicken | Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil has come to temperature, add the chicken and allow to cook for 4 minutes. Turn each strip and allow to cook for 4 minutes more. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté Peppers + Onions | Reduce the heat to medium. If the skillet appears dry with little-to-no oil remaining, add the last tablespoon of oil. Add the peppers and onions. Sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Remove from the heat.
Add the Chicken to Fajita Veggies | Add the chicken back to the skillet with the peppers and onions and toss to combine.
Serve | Load you chicken fajitas and veggies on to the tortilla of your choice and top with unlimited toppings. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Chicken Fajita Tacos
A chicken fajita dish really isn't complete without toppings and side dishes. I feel like nachos are the same way. The sky is the limit when it comes to taco toppings, but if you want to keep it simple that works, too.
Traditional Tex-Mex side dishes don't leave too much to the imagination, but if you have other favorite sides that you pair with your fajitas, let me hear about them!
If you find yourself left with extra chicken, put that bird to good use in our chicken fajita casserole! It's all of the booming Tex-Mex fajita goodness in one dish!
Taco Topping Ideas
- Shredded Cheese
- Pico de Gallo
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Shredded Lettuce
- Chopped Cilantro
- Lime Wedges
- Salsa or Salsa Fresca
- Chile con Queso
Side Dishes for Fajita Tacos
- Mexican Rice
- Charro Beans
- Refried Beans
- Refried Black Beans
Make These Tacos Next!
Chicken Fajita Tacos
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons canola oil or avocado oil, separated
- 1-1-½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 package taco seasoning (see below for homemade fajita seasoning recipe, if desired)
- ½ of a yellow onion, cut into ¼" rings
- ½ of a red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¼" rings
- ½ of a green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¼" rings
- ½ teaspoon generous pinch of Kosher salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- flour or corn Tortillas
- shredded Cheese, guacamole, and sour cream for serving (if desired)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry. With a sharp knife, cut into ¼" strips. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil and sprinkle over Tex-Mex seasoning. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil has come to temperature, add the chicken and allow to cook for 4 minutes. Turn each strip and allow to cook for 4 minutes more. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. If the skillet appears dry (with little-to-no oil remaining), add the last tablespoon of canola oil to the skillet. Add the onions and peppers. Sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Remove from the heat. Add the chicken back to the skillet, toss to combine and serve.
Notes
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- 1-½ teaspoon Kosher salt
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- 2 teaspoons chili powder
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- 1 teaspoon paprika
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- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
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- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Nutrition
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