Fajitas are a classic Tex-Mex dish that is fun, easy to make, and so flavorful. This veggie and chicken fajitas recipe is a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Loaded with sautéed bell peppers and onions mixed with seasoned chicken and vegetables, these fajitas are nestled into warm tortillas for a hand-held meal that can’t be beaten!
How to Make the Best Veggie and Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
For the Fajita Vegetables:
- 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced into thin strips
- 1 onion, sliced into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- 8 small flour tortillas
- Shredded cheese (like cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
The beauty of these veggie and chicken fajitas is that they come together quickly with simple ingredients. By following a few easy steps, you’ll have sizzling fajitas on the dinner table in under 30 minutes.
Step 1 – Prepare the Ingredients
Cut up the chicken and vegetables. For the vegetables, slice onions and green and red bell peppers into thin strips. Make sure the chicken breasts are sliced into small, thin pieces so they cook up quickly.
Step 2 – Cook the Veggies and Chicken
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes until starting to soften. Then add the chicken pieces and continue sautéing everything together for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through. Season the veggie-chicken mix with fajita seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, and salt and pepper as it cooks.
Step 3 – Warm the Tortillas
While the filling is cooking, warm up the flour or corn tortillas on the side. This step is essential! Cold, hard tortillas will break when you try to wrap them. Place a layer of foil over the tortillas as they warm in the oven or microwave to keep them pliable.
Step 4 – Construct the Fajitas
When the chicken and veggies are finished cooking, build your fajitas by layering the ingredient mix down the center of warm tortillas. Top with desired garnishes like grated cheese, salsa, guacamole, cilantro, and a squirt of lime. Roll up the sides and enjoy right away while hot!
Making great fajitas is easy when you have flavorful fillings. Feel free to swap out ingredients to suit your tastes – shrimp or steak work wonderfully too.
Nutrition
- CALORIES: 140KCAL
- CARBOHYDRATES: 7G
- PROTEIN: 13G
- FAT: 7G
- SATURATED FAT: 1G
- CHOLESTEROL: 36MG
- SODIUM: 275MG
- POTASSIUM: 389MG
- FIBER: 2G
- SUGAR: 3G
- VITAMIN A: 2160IU
- VITAMIN C: 80MG
- CALCIUM: 23MG
- IRON: 1MG
FAQ about Making Veggie and Chicken Fajitas:
What is the best oil to use for frying fajita ingredients?
The best oils for frying fajitas are those with high smoke points such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil. Avoid using olive oil or butter which can burn quickly over high heat.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F using a food thermometer. Or slice a thicker piece of chicken down the middle – it should show no traces of pink inside.
Can I use leftover or pre-cooked chicken?
Absolutely! Shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken breast or tenders work great to save time. Just stir the chicken in with the sautéed veggies at the end to warm through before serving.
What if I can’t find fajita seasoning?
Not to worry! Make your own quickly using a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper tailored to your tastes. Or use a taco seasoning mix in a pinch.
Can I assemble fajitas ahead of time?
It’s best to assemble fajitas right before serving to prevent the heated tortillas and filling from becoming soggy. However, you can prep all the ingredients and sauces in advance and cook the filling right before your meal. Just make sure to warm the tortillas so they softly wrap.
Making your own veggie and chicken fajitas is simple with just a few ingredients toasted to perfection in a sizzling hot skillet. Savory chicken and slightly charred peppers and onions in warm tortillas never goes out of style! Adjust the ingredients based on what you have on hand for an easy, tasty meal the whole family is sure to love.
